MOSCOW, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Russia is closing the German Consulate General in St. Petersburg, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Monday.
In a statement, the ministry noted that the consulate must cease all operations no later than Sept. 18. It added that Goethe-Institut cultural centers in Russia must also terminate their operations, with employees required to leave Russia by Sept. 13.
The ministry said relevant diplomatic notes had been handed to Germany's charge d'affaires.
The measures were taken in response to an earlier German decision to shut the Russian Consulate General in Bonn and the Russian House in Berlin, formerly known as the Russian House of Science and Culture, on Sept. 7. The move came after Germany alleged that an explosive-laden drone found at Leipzig Airport in early August was of Russian origin. ■