German authorities are investigating a possible hybrid attack after a ground employee found an explosive-laden quadcopter drone near a Ukrainian aircraft at Leipzig/Halle airport.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt described the event as a hybrid attack scenario and did not rule out the involvement of unnamed hostile forces. He said investigations are moving in all directions, noting that perpetrators of hybrid threats are not amateurs and their origin is not always clear.
Explosives Neutralized Near Ukrainian Aircraft
A ground handling worker spotted the quadcopter drone at 23:42 on Tuesday, which was 00:42 on Wednesday in Greece. The drone was resting on the ground just a few meters from a Ukrainian Antonov transport aircraft.
Dobrindt said the explosive device contained Semtex material and was neutralized in a controlled explosion. The device had a detonator attached, but no explosion occurred because the detonator had detached from the charge.
Leipzig airport serves as a critical transport hub for sending military supplies to Ukraine.
Second Incident Involves Mid-Air Collision
A second incident occurred on Tuesday evening when a DHL cargo plane collided in mid-air with an unknown object during its climb from Leipzig airport. The aircraft landed safely at a different airport without further problems.
Authorities are investigating both incidents, which happened within hours of each other. Investigators have not identified the perpetrators, but Russian involvement has not been ruled out. Any verified connection to Russia would mark a major escalation in tensions with Moscow.
German newspaper Zeit reported that Russian involvement is one of several hypotheses currently under review by investigators. Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany Oleksii Makeiev told Welt TV that Moscow is behind the incident, asking who else could be responsible.
