Russia will shutter German cultural centers across the country, specifically branches of the Goethe Institut. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced the move in retaliation for Germany's decision to close the Russian House cultural center in Berlin and a consulate in Bonn.
The move follows broader tensions, with Western officials widely accusing Moscow of conducting a campaign of sabotage and disruption. These actions are allegedly designed to destabilize European nations and undermine support for Ukraine.
In a separate incident, a drone laden with explosives was discovered near a Ukrainian plane at Leipzig/Halle Airport.