Sight of Officials Removing Eagle Emblem as Russia-Germany Tensions Escalate

Workers were seen removing the signage featuring the German federal eagle from the Consulate General of Germany in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on Thursday (17/9) local time. The closure of the office is a result of a dispute involving drone attacks involving Berlin.

Russia has officially closed the German Consulate General as a response to Berlin’s decision to close the Russian consulate in Bonn and the Russian cultural centre in Berlin. Germany took these measures after accusing Moscow of attempting drone attacks at Leipzig/Halle Airport, an allegation that Russia has described as an absurd fabrication.

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a communiqué that the German consulate in St. Petersburg must cease its operations no later than 18 September. The ministry also asserted that the German Goethe-Institut cultural centre in Russia must halt its activities, with staff ordered to leave the country by 13 September.