Germany has launched a high-level security review after an explosive-laden drone was discovered near a Ukrainian cargo aircraft at Leipzig-Halle Airport, raising concerns over a possible security threat.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz convened the country’s national security council on Friday to discuss the incident and a separate mid-air collision involving another aircraft and an unidentified object. German authorities have not blamed any country for the drone discovery, but Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt described it as a possible “hybrid attack” and warned it represented a new level of danger.
The drone was found near a Ukrainian cargo plane at the strategic airport, which supports military and logistics operations for Germany, NATO allies, and Ukraine’s Antonov Airlines. According to prosecutors, the device contained professional explosives and a detonator, but it failed to explode because of a technical fault.
Authorities say the incident was a serious threat to Germany’s transport and logistics infrastructure, while police investigations continue.
The discovery also led to a temporary halt in air traffic, forcing one cargo aircraft to divert. That aircraft later landed safely in Hanover after colliding with an unidentified object, although minor damage was reported.
While German officials have not identified a suspect, some politicians have suggested possible Russian involvement, citing previous cases of sabotage and espionage blamed on Moscow. The Russian embassy in Berlin rejected the accusations, describing the incident as a “provocation” and denying claims of Russian involvement.
Investigations are ongoing as Germany assesses the security implications of the incidents.
