Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Germany is making a "grave error" by blaming Russia for the failed attack on Leipzig airport.

The Russian leader asserted that evidence against Moscow was planted and suggested Berlin's governing parties needed a distraction as they faced defeat in upcoming state elections.

What's behind Putin's claims? Kirill Shamiev, associate analyst at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs and a researcher at the Institute of International Relations and Political Science of Vilnius University, Lithuania, shared his insights with DW.