In brief
A surveillance drone loaded with an explosive device was discovered near Ukrainian cargo planes at Leipzig/Halle Airport, leading to the deployment of a robot to neutralise the threat. German authorities are on high alert following a spate of unauthorized drone flights over military bases, airports and logistics facilities. The incident is seen as part of a broader pattern of attacks that authorities suspect may involve Russian interference. Flights resumed on the northern runway after the scare, while the southern runway remains closed.
Police say a drone laden with an explosive device was discovered at Leipzig/Halle Airport overnight.
A robot was deployed to remove the detonator from the device. The drone had been spotted near parked Antonov cargo planes used by Ukraine’s Antonov Airlines.
German authorities are on alert after a string of unauthorized drone flights over sensitive sites, including military bases and logistics hubs.
The incident comes months after a parcel burst into flames at the same airport, a series of attacks that authorities suspect linked to Russian sabotage.
Leipzig/Halle is a strategic base for NATO and German forces, and flights on the northern runway resumed after the scare.
While German officials have not confirmed the drone’s origin, Ukrainian officials point fingers at Russia. Russia has denied involvement.
Connections to previous incidents – including a Chinese espionage case last year – highlight the growing threat to critical infrastructure.
