Alert at Leipzig airport, a drone bomb found next to Ukrainian planes

An alarm was raised at Leipzig Airport in Germany after a drone carrying explosives was discovered near Ukrainian aircraft during the night. According to a NATO spokesperson, the incident occurred when a suspicious flying object was found close to four Ukrainian planes. Local police confirmed that the device contained explosive material, which tested positive for nitrate. The substance was neutralized after investigators collected relevant evidence. According to Bild, the drone had a fuse attached, suggesting it might have exploded had there been a defect. Shortly afterward, a DHL cargo plane, unable to land due to the airport closure following the discovery at 23:43, collided with another unidentified object, a second drone, while attempting to take off. The pilot managed to safely reach Hanover, where the aircraft sustained minor damage to its front section. The impact took place six kilometers from the Saxon airport and at an altitude of 400 meters. Authorities including the public prosecutor's office in Dresden, the state anti-crime unit, the anti-terrorism agency, and the Lower Saxony investigators are currently looking into the incident in collaboration with NATO. The presence of explosives aboard the quadcopter, which could have potentially caused one of the Ukrainian aircraft to explode, makes this incident one of the most severe attacks against the Federal Republic. Germany has long been under the threat of a hybrid war conducted by Russian forces, involving sabotage, espionage, and disinformation campaigns aimed at destabilizing the country’s political climate, especially ahead of upcoming local elections in autumn. While investigations will determine whether Moscow is behind the attack, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has returned to Berlin from his vacation in Italy, maintaining constant contact with Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who is on holiday in Bavaria. Political criticism is growing over insufficient protection of critical infrastructure, particularly in a country where the far-right is gaining momentum. The government has established a dedicated anti-drone defense center since December to address increasing sightings that have frequently disrupted air traffic in recent months. There is also a special police unit tasked with handling emergencies involving airborne objects. Leipzig/Halle Airport is not just any airport. Since 2022, several Ukrainian Antonov aircraft have been stationed there, having been moved away from the conflict in Ukraine. These planes continue to serve transport duties, carrying both cargo and passengers, and supporting NATO logistics missions, including the transportation of weapons. Additionally, the airport is one of Europe’s major hubs for cargo transport, serving DHL extensively. It has previously been targeted before: on July 20, 2024, a DHL package caught fire before being loaded onto a cargo plane destined for England from Leipzig. Similar incidents have also occurred in Poland and Birmingham. The drone alert has stirred concern across Europe this summer. At the end of July, Romania shot down three drones within three days and spotted a fourth, prompting Bucharest to expel a Russian diplomat. Kyiv shows no doubt regarding the events of last night: “I hope the German authorities investigate thoroughly. But who else could it be if not Russia?” stated the Ukrainian ambassador to Germany, Oleksii Makaiev, promising maximum support to Berlin and offering extensive Ukrainian expertise in counter-drone defense. Ukraine plays a crucial role in European anti-drone defense. Last month, Ursula von der Leyen signed a defense partnership agreement with Zelensky in Kyiv, announcing it as their “Drone Deal.” Air traffic at Leipzig/Halle Airport was temporarily suspended after the discovery of a suspicious object near the runway and the incident involving a DHL cargo plane. The situation began when a DHL cargo plane, shortly after takeoff, reportedly hit an unidentified object and made an emergency landing in Hanover. Earlier, an unusual object was detected near the runway, leading to the partial closure of the airport and the intervention of bomb disposal experts. According to federal police, among the possibilities being considered is the involvement of Russian agents, although there are no confirmations yet. “The situation is still unclear,” a spokesperson told AFP, adding that “there is no danger to the population.” A drone was found near the runway shortly before midnight. The sighting forced several cargo flights and a passenger flight to divert to other airports. During inspections, investigators found an object in the southern runway area, prompting the deployment of a robotic demining unit. According to Bild, the object was a drone fitted with a small package containing a detonator, classified by investigators as a potential explosive device. The drone was located near an Antonov Airlines cargo plane. The DHL cargo plane involved in the incident reportedly struck an unidentified object immediately after takeoff from Leipzig/Halle. The crew decided to head to Hanover Airport, where the plane landed safely. Inspections revealed minor damage to the front part of the aircraft. However, the police did not confirm this account, while DHL stated they were working to ascertain the exact sequence of events. CEO Tobias Meyer explained that the company has specific procedures for such situations and would do everything possible to minimize disruptions for customers. Leipzig/Halle Airport holds strategic significance for Germany as it hosts the main European hub for DHL Express, serves as a site for military equipment transport intended for the German armed forces and NATO allies, and is one of the operational bases for Antonov Airlines. In recent years, the airport has been the focus of other security incidents. In 2024, a package caught fire in a DHL center before being loaded onto an airplane, and German intelligence services pointed to Russia as a possible culprit. In 2025, a Chinese citizen was sentenced for espionage after collecting information on military flights departing from the airport. In this context, Germany has recently reported an increase in suspected acts of sabotage, espionage, and drone intrusions attributed to Moscow. Russia has denied any involvement and rejected these accusations.