A Ukrainian cargo aircraft parked near a drone fitted with an explosive device at Leipzig/Halle Airport was carrying ammunition, according to German media reports.
Forensic experts reportedly determined that the explosives attached to the drone were of high-grade military quality, potentially widening an ongoing counter-terrorism investigation into Tuesday night’s incident.
Military cargo under investigation
The Süddeutsche Zeitung, alongside German broadcasters NDR and WDR, reported that the Ukrainian aircraft was transporting ammunition, citing a confidential police report.
The drone was found near several Ukrainian Antonov An-124 cargo aircraft, which are among the world’s largest transport planes.
Leipzig/Halle Airport is a major cargo and military logistics hub and is classified by the German government as critical infrastructure.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said on Wednesday evening that the incident constituted a “hybrid attack” and had raised the country’s threat level.
Saxony state police, responsible for the area where the airport is located, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on reports concerning the Ukrainian aircraft’s military cargo.
Second aircraft damaged
German authorities are also examining debris from an unidentified object that damaged another cargo aircraft in flight near Leipzig on the same night.
The aircraft was making another landing attempt after one of the airport’s runways was closed when it struck the object. It sustained minor damage and eventually landed in Hanover, northern Germany.
The two incidents disrupted operations at one of Germany’s main logistics hubs. Flights were cancelled and several aircraft, including some operated by German logistics group DHL, were diverted late on Tuesday.
Operations restored
A Leipzig/Halle Airport spokesperson said operations had returned to normal and that no additional security measures had been introduced. The airport is also used by companies including Lufthansa Cargo and Amazon.
German authorities have not identified those responsible for either incident. However, Roderich Kiesewetter, a German MP and member of parliament’s intelligence oversight committee, directly accused Russia of involvement.
The Russian Embassy in Berlin did not respond to a Reuters request for comment sent by email.
Source: CNA
