Germany is preparing to formally blame Russia for an attempted drone attack on a Ukrainian cargo aircraft at Leipzig/Halle Airport last month, according to two sources familiar with the matter cited by Reuters.

The German government is also considering new sanctions against Moscow in coordination with European and other allies, although details of any measures have not been disclosed.

The development follows the discovery on 4 August of a drone fitted with explosives and a detonator at Leipzig/Halle, a major civilian freight and NATO logistics hub in eastern Germany. The airport is also used as a base for Ukrainian Antonov An-124 cargo aircraft.

German authorities initially stopped short of identifying who was responsible. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt described the incident as a new form of hybrid threat and said the possibility of involvement by a foreign power could not be ruled out.

The Federal Prosecutor's Office subsequently took over the investigation, saying the drone had been equipped with professional explosives and a detonator and that the incident represented a serious attack on Germany's transport and logistics infrastructure.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Sunday that the government was finalising its response and would coordinate with European and NATO partners before making it public. He said Germany had reached broad agreement on how to respond.

Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, speaking in Algeria on Tuesday, stopped short of confirming that Russia would be named but indicated that Germany was preparing measures.

“There is no overreaction on our part, but there is a response when we are attacked,” Wadephul said, according to Reuters. He added that Russia should understand that Germany is “a stabilizing force in Europe” that is prepared to negotiate but “will not be intimidated in any way”.

Russia has previously rejected allegations of involvement. On 7 August, its embassy in Berlin described the Leipzig incident as a “fabricated provocation” and accused Germany of fuelling anti-Russian sentiment.

The planned attribution would mark a shift from Berlin's earlier position, when German officials described the incident as a possible hybrid attack without publicly identifying Russia as the culprit.

Reuters reported that Wadephul was due to hold a press conference with Dobrindt later on Tuesday, when the government could announce its assessment and possible response.