- Germany has opened a counterterrorism investigation after the drone was discovered by airport workers in a restricted cargo area near the southern runway.
- According to Bild, the drone was found close to a Ukrainian Antonov cargo plane, though Dobrindt did not directly blame anyone.
- A minister has warned of a 'new threat' following the discovery of the drone at Leipzig airport.
An explosive-laden drone discovered at Leipzig/Halle airport has triggered a counterterrorism investigation in Germany, highlighting a new threat linked to the ongoing war, according to Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt. The drone was found by airport workers in a restricted cargo area near the southern runway.1
Dobrindt emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, “Drone sightings and drone threats in a hybrid context are something we have known from the past, but a drone armed with explosives being present on airport grounds is a new threat scenario.” The incident led to the suspension of flights and the diversion of several aircraft, including those operated by DHL, one of the major logistics firms in Germany.
While Dobrindt did not directly assign blame, reports suggest the drone was located near a Ukrainian Antonov cargo plane, raising concerns about the implications of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine spilling over into German airspace. The discovery has prompted authorities to reassess security measures at one of Europe’s largest cargo hubs, as they investigate the origins and intentions behind the drone's presence.2
“The drone was discovered in a restricted cargo area near the southern runway, close to a Ukrainian Antonov cargo plane, according to Bild. Transport Minister Dobrindt stopped short of directly blaming anyone for the incident.”
The Independent
