An explosives-laden drone was found at a key German airport. Here's what we know

German authorities have launched a counterterrorism investigation following the discovery of a drone equipped with explosives at Leipzig/Halle Airport, a key cargo and military logistics hub. The interior minister has described the incident as a hybrid attack. Local media reports suggest the drone was loaded with high-military-grade explosives and was found near a Ukrainian aircraft at the facility.

Police stated that an object collided with a cargo plane on Tuesday night, causing only minor damage. Germany's federal prosecutor has characterized the incident as a serious attack, citing the drone's professional-grade explosives and detonator. However, German officials have denied previous reports that the nearby plane was carrying munitions.

The drone's discovery at the restricted area led to flight diversions and partial closure of the airport. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt emphasized that the incident marked a new level of danger. Leipzig/Halle Airport, opened in 1927 and rebuilt after World War Two, was privatized and converted into a cargo hub following German reunification in 1990.

It is now Germany's largest cargo hub after Frankfurt, handling around 1.4 million metric tons of freight annually. The airport is classified as critical infrastructure, attracting major transport and logistics companies and serving as an important logistics hub for the German military and NATO partners. The incident involved a drone near a group of Ukrainian An-124s, and media reports suggest a technical defect prevented the drone-mounted device from exploding.

Federal prosecutors are now handling the investigation, which they describe as a serious attack on Germany's transportation and logistics infrastructure. While authorities have not publicly identified the potential perpetrator, some German officials have previously attributed similar attacks to Russia. Tensions between Germany and Russia have escalated due to the war in Ukraine and alleged Russian interference elsewhere in Europe.

European security agencies have been investigating a series of suspicious parcels catching fire in 2024, raising concerns about sabotage targeting air cargo operations. Some of these devices were found at a DHL warehouse in Leipzig. German airports have been on high alert following unauthorised drone overflights at various sensitive locations, suspected to be organized by Russian agents. Russia has denied involvement in these incidents.