Drone Attack Foiled Near Leipzig Airport

German authorities uncover additional drones and explosives linked to a thwarted attack on Leipzig airport, raising security concerns.

German investigators have discovered a third drone and suspected military explosives following an attempted attack on Leipzig Airport, as reported by local media. This drone was found in Kabelsketal, located just west of the airport, on August 14, ten days after the initial sabotage incident at this key cargo and military logistics hub used by NATO and Ukraine’s Antonov Airlines for transporting military supplies.

The office of the prosecutor general, which is overseeing the investigation, has not commented publicly on the matter. However, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz indicated that the government would soon provide updates regarding the suspected perpetrators behind the drone attacks. “They will pay for this,” Merz remarked, although he refrained from naming any specific suspects during a cabinet meeting in Brandenburg. He emphasized that the government is working closely with security authorities and aims to present their findings shortly.

According to intelligence sources cited by NDR, WDR, and Süddeutsche Zeitung, the involvement of Russian intelligence is suspected in the attempted attack, though Moscow has denied any participation. The German government has yet to publicly take a definitive stance on whether they believe Russia, or an affiliated actor, is responsible for the incidents.

Chancellor Merz noted that the recent events signify that Germany is becoming an increasing target for such attacks. He commented, “Attackers are increasingly ruthlessly accepting even serious property damage, and even injuries and deaths.”

In a previous incident on August 4, another drone carrying explosives was found near a Ukrainian Antonov cargo plane used for military supplies. Investigators believe this drone aimed to land on the aircraft’s wings, which were filled with kerosene, but the device failed to detonate.

Shortly after the first drone’s discovery, a second drone reportedly collided with a DHL cargo plane. This incident necessitated the plane to abort its landing attempt and divert to Hanover to ensure safety. Damage to the tail section of the DHL aircraft confirmed a collision, although the second drone has not been recovered. It is suspected that it may have been ingested into the engines during the collision.

The latest drone was located in a field bordering the western edge of Leipzig Airport. Forensic technicians from the federal criminal police office found residues of a substance likely to be hexogen, a highly explosive material. Although this explosive did not detonate, reports indicated that the attackers may have intended a much larger operation than previously understood.

Additional suspicious items were also recovered near the airport. In Kursdorf, investigators found an antenna attached to a tree, along with various electronic components, possibly used to control the drones. Near the area where witnesses heard a loud bang on the day of the incident, officials discovered a burnt patch and remnants of charred metal parts, further highlighting the serious nature of these attacks.

German authorities have expressed that if the drones had exploded, they could have led to catastrophic outcomes.