Russia orders closure of German consulate-general in St Petersburg

Russia has withdrawn its consent for the German Consulate-General in St Petersburg to operate and ordered it to cease activities by September 18 at the latest, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

The move follows Germany’s decision to close Russia’s Consulate-General in Bonn from September 18 and terminate an agreement governing the Russian House of Science and Culture in Berlin.

On September 3, Russia also announced the closure of a polling station at its Consulate-General in Bonn ahead of the September 20, 2026 election. Russian citizens in Germany will now be able to vote only at a polling station at the Russian Embassy in Berlin.

The diplomatic tensions follow German allegations that Russia was behind a hybrid attack targeting Leipzig Airport on August 4.

By Sabina Mammadli