A Ukrainian plane loaded with ammunition was at Leipzig airport during the drone attack
Berlin is investigating the case as a possible "hybrid attack", in which another device crashed into a cargo plane
BarcelonaTwo drones of unknown origin broke into Leipzig airport this Wednesday; one of them, with explosive cargo. At that time, a Ukrainian cargo plane, from the airline Antonov, which was transporting military ammunition, was parked at the airport, as reported by several German media.
The fact that one of the detected devices carried explosives differentiates this incident from the recurrent presence of drones at European airports since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. Forensic experts have revealed that the explosives connected to the drone were of high military quality. The German newspaper Bild reported that the device did not explode due to a detonator malfunction. Subsequently, the German federal police deactivated the explosive with the help of a bomb disposal robot.
Leipzig airport, which the German government has designated as critical infrastructure, is used as an important military logistics center for cargo and for NATO, and it is also one of the main European centers for air transport of humanitarian and military aid destined for Ukraine. Two years ago, a letter bomb from Lithuania exploded at its logistics center, which, according to the ongoing judicial investigation, was part of a series of similar shipments attributed to a network of saboteurs allegedly linked to the Russian secret services.
Incident with a DHL plane
In addition to the drone loaded with explosives, the German Interior Ministry confirmed the detection of a second device, which collided with a DHL cargo plane after the aircraft had to abort its landing because the runway was closed. The plane finally had to land at Hannover airport with "minor damage" to the front area, according to the German prosecutor's office.
The events forced the temporary closure of the runways and the diversion of several flights to other cities. Among these was a passenger plane from Palma, which had to land in Nuremberg. Currently, the airport is operating normally.
The German Interior Minister, Alexander Dobrindt, has described the incident as a "hybrid attack" and warned of an "elevated" level of danger. Dobrindt will host an anti-drone defense summit in the German city of Flensburg at the end of August with representatives from various European countries.
For its part, NATO has stated it is "aware of the incident," but indicated that it awaits the results of the investigation, which is being led by the German prosecutor's office with the participation of anti-terrorism units.
