Russia: German flags lowered as St. Petersburg consulate prepares to close.

SHOTLIST: ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA (SEPT. 17, 2026) 1. PEOPLE TRYING TO OPEN LOCKED ENTRANCE DOOR OF GERMAN CONSULATE GENERAL 2. PEOPLE CARRYING BELONGINGS FROM GERMAN CONSULATE GENERAL AND LOADING THEM INTO CAR PARKED OUTSIDE BUILDING 3. VARIOUS OF EMPLOYEE LOWERING AND REMOVING GERMAN FLAG FROM GERMAN CONSULATE GENERAL 4. VARIOUS OF GERMAN AND EUROPEAN UNION FLAGS BEING LOWERED DURING CEREMONY 5. GERMAN CONSUL GENERAL MILAN SIMANDL LEAVING GERMAN CONSULATE GENERALST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - SEPT. 17: Germany's diplomatic mission in St. Petersburg prepared to end its operations on Thursday, Sept. 17, with the German and European Union flags lowered from the Consulate General building. German Consul General Milan Simandl was seen leaving the premises during the ceremony as an employee took down and removed the German flag. The move came after Moscow revoked authorization for the consulate to operate in the Russian city. The mission was given until Sept. 18 to halt its activities, with its personnel also required to depart Russia by that deadline. Russian authorities said the decision was taken in response to measures introduced by Berlin, including the closure of Russia's Consulate General in Bonn and the Russian House of Science and Culture in the German capital. Moscow also instructed Goethe-Institut centers operating in Russia to shut down. The latest restrictions on diplomatic and cultural institutions came amid heightened tensions between the two countries after Germany accused Russia of involvement in an attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport. Russia denied the accusation.