In brief
Police discovered an explosive-laden drone near Ukrainian cargo planes at Leipzig/Halle Airport in eastern Germany, prompting a security alert in the country. The incident happened overnight, and a robotic system was employed to remove the detonator safely. German authorities suspect the drone is part of a broader campaign targeting sensitive sites, including military bases and logistics hubs, potentially orchestrated by Russian agents. While the northern runway resumed operations, the southern runway used by DHL was closed pending investigation.
Police have found a drone carrying an explosive device at Leipzig/Halle Airport in eastern Germany, a discovery that raises fears of a wider security threat that could be linked to Russian agents.
Late last night, a staff member watching Ukrainian cargo planes spotted a small aircraft‑sized drone near the parking apron. Security teams used a robot to extract the detonator from the device, which was then safely dismantled.
The incident comes amid a series of unauthorized drone flights over sensitive sites such as military bases, airports, and logistics hubs across Germany in recent months. Federal police have warned that the flights could be orchestrated by organised groups linked to Russia.
Leipzig/Halle Airport is a joint military and commercial facility, hosting both German Army logistics and the Ukrainian Antonov aviation network. The attack targeted a location where Antonov transport aircraft are parked.
While the northern runway reopened at 01:55 local time, the southern runway—home to DHL’s cargo operations—remains closed for further investigation.
Saxony Interior Minister Armin Schuster called the event “a very serious security incident.” Diplomatic spokesmen for Ukraine accused Russia of orchestrating the assault, though Moscow has not yet responded to the claim.
Similar attacks have been reported earlier this year, including parcel fires at the same airport that destroyed packages believed to contain timed explosives. Authorities suspect a sabotage campaign possibly tied to Moscow, though Russia denies involvement.
Another notable event last year involved a Chinese national convicted of transmitting flight and cargo information to a Beijing spy, underscoring the heightened security environment around Leipzig/Halle.
Source: BBC News, 5 August 2026.
