• German authorities are investigating a drone incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport involving explosives near a Ukrainian transport aircraft.
• The Federal Public Prosecutor's Office has taken over the investigation due to suspicions of an attempt to cause an explosion and endanger air traffic.
• The incident is being treated as a serious attack on transport and logistics infrastructure, with concerns raised about a potential "hybrid attack scenario" by foreign powers.

Following the discovery of a drone carrying explosives at Leipzig Airport, Germany's Federal Public Prosecutor's Office says it has taken over the investigation due to the particular significance of the case.

The authorities in Karlsruhe have stated that there are suspicions of an attempt to cause an explosion using explosives and of endangering air traffic.

An airport worker spotted an explosive-laden drone late on Tuesday on the southern runway at Leipzig/Halle Airport. According to security sources, it was located near a Ukrainian Antonov AN-124 Condor cargo aircraft. Federal Police specialists defused the explosive device.

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said on Wednesday evening that the incident represented a "new quality of threat" and a "hybrid attack scenario."

Serious attack on transport and logistics infrastructure

It was further reported that there was sufficient factual evidence to suggest that an explosion was to be caused by a drone on the premises of Leipzig/Halle Airport on Tuesday evening.

"Professional explosives and a detonator had been attached to the drone for this purpose." In addition, a cargo aircraft in the wider vicinity of the airport is believed to have collided in midair with another drone.

"This constitutes a serious attack on transport and logistics infrastructure in Germany," the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office stated. "As such, the offence is capable of undermining the external and internal security of the Federal Republic."

The Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) has been tasked with the police investigation. Until now, the Dresden Public Prosecutor's Office had been investigating the incident in conjunction with the Saxony State Criminal Police Office (LKA).

Explosives disposal robots deployed

Leipzig/Halle Airport suspended flight operations for a while after an unidentified flying object and a suspicious item were spotted on the South Runway.

Several aircraft had to be diverted to other airports. According to information from security sources, the drone, containing explosives and a detonator, was discovered near a Ukrainian transport aircraft.

With the support of the Federal Police and an explosive-detection robot, the object was examined and the detonator of the explosive device was removed, the Saxony State Criminal Police Office (LKA) later reported.

A cargo aircraft, which had been forced to abort its approach due to the airport closure, is also said to have collided with a second unidentified flying object during the night. Minor damage was found on the aircraft after it landed in Hanover.

Hybrid attack by "foreign powers"?

Dobrindt regards the drone incident as an attack carried out by highly professional perpetrators. He has not ruled out "foreign powers" as the masterminds behind it, warning of a "hybrid attack scenario". Such hybrid threats must be prepared and carried out with a high degree of professionalism.

The case brings back memories. In 2024, an air freight parcel caught fire at the DHL logistics centre in Leipzig. Security circles believe the parcel was planted on behalf of Russia.

According to the former President of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Thomas Haldenwang, Germany narrowly avoided a plane crash at the time. It was thanks to a lucky coincidence that the parcel caught fire whilst still on the ground and not during the flight. The Federal Public Prosecutor's Office took over the investigation.