Explosive drone found at German airport near Ukrainian cargo plane

German authorities discovered a drone carrying explosives at Leipzig/Halle Airport late Tuesday, August 4, prompting an emergency closure and a counterterrorism investigation. An airport employee spotted the device hovering near parked Ukrainian Antonov cargo aircraft shortly before midnight. Police deployed a bomb disposal robot and removed the detonator from what officials described as an explosive device containing semtex, a plastic explosive. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt called the incident a "hybrid attack scenario" and a "new quality of danger," noting the drone appeared professionally modified to evade the airport's detection systems.

The discovery forced the temporary closure of the airport's south runway and diverted approximately 19 flights, including a DHL cargo plane that was forced to abort its landing. As that aircraft climbed again, it collided with an unidentified object mid-air and diverted to Hanover airport with minor damage. Authorities are investigating whether a second drone was involved in the collision. A bus driver at the airport reportedly kicked the explosive-laden drone out of the air, potentially preventing an attack.

Leipzig/Halle Airport serves as a major cargo hub for NATO, the German military, and Ukraine's Antonov Airlines, which operates flights delivering military supplies. The incident marks a significant escalation in a series of unauthorized drone sightings over German critical infrastructure since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. German officials have not officially named a suspect but indicated investigation into "foreign powers." Western intelligence officials, according to media reports, have assessed the drone as likely linked to Russia, though Moscow has denied involvement. Ukraine's ambassador to Germany stated: "Who else could it be but Russia?" Russian embassy officials described the incident as a "fabricated provocation" intended to serve Ukrainian and European political interests.