In brief
Leipzig/Halle Airport was the scene of a high‑profile security incident when a drone carrying an explosive device was discovered by airport staff overnight. Police deployed a robot to safely remove the detonator, while a second unknown object crashed into a cargo aircraft, inflicting minor damage. German authorities have warned that Russian agents may be behind the flights, and flights resume only after extensive security checks. The incident follows a spate of suspicious drone overflights and parcel fires targeting logistics hubs, raising concerns about the vulnerability of air transport amid the Ukraine conflict.
Leipzig/Halle Airport – A drone bearing an explosive device was found near Ukrainian cargo planes, prompting police deployment of a robot for safe removal. The incident was detected by an employee the previous night.
While the device was secured, a second unidentified object crashed into a cargo aircraft, causing minor damage after it landed in Hanover. Airspace remains on alert as German authorities suspect possible Russian involvement. The northern runway resumed flights at 01:55 (23:55 GMT), while the southern runway—major DHL hub—remains closed.
Leiburg's Interior Minister, Armin Schuster, called the event a “very serious security incident.” In the wake of July 2024 parcel fires linked to DHL, the German defence intelligence has flagged the growing trend of UAV overflights across military bases, airports, and logistics centres as a threat to national security.
German police have not disclosed additional details. Ukraine’s ambassador Oleksii Makeiev targeted Moscow as a suspect, while Russia maintains no comment.
These events underline the fragility of air‑transport infrastructure amid the Ukraine conflict and heighten concerns over drone‑based sabotage tactics weaponised by hostile states.
