Russia revokes consent for German Consulate General in St. Petersburg, Goethe centers to close

Russia has confirmed the closure of the German Consulate General in St. Petersburg and all Goethe-Institut cultural centers across Russia, in direct retaliation for German actions following a drone incident at Leipzig airport. Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov has escalated rhetoric, claiming Berlin's reaction to the Leipzig incident marks the 'beginning of a real war' and accusing Germany of 'wanting war again'. This represents a significant diplomatic rupture and rhetorical escalation, with the specifics of the Leipzig drone incident remaining partially unclear.