Germany news: Third drone found in Leipzig airport probe

German investigators have discovered three drones connected to a failed attempt on a Ukrainian cargo plane at Leipzig airport on 4-5 August, Tagesschau reported on 25 August. Forensic teams found the third machine and a suspected military explosive in a nearby field, identified as about 50 grams of hexogen, also known as RDX. Security experts speculate Russian intelligence services were involved in planning the attack, while Russia denies any participation.

This discovery expands the scope of concerns for German authorities, who must now monitor and protect their facilities beyond merely keeping an eye on potential threats. The investigation, led by Germany's Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), is examining various leads, including recovered DNA, to determine the full extent of the plot and identify those responsible.

The Ukrainian cargo plane targeted by the drones was carrying military supplies, which were reportedly loaded the previous day. Leipzig/Halle airport serves as a hub for military freight from Germany and NATO allies, with Ukraine's Antonov Airlines also operating there as a base. The drones were initially launched from the airport grounds around 23:42 on 4 August, with a second drone colliding with a DHL cargo plane shortly after.

Neither drone nor parts of either aircraft have been recovered, with damage reported to the tail unit of the DHL plane and unspecified damage to the nose of a third aircraft. Earlier this year, a similar parcel ignited at the same airport, suspected of being a Moscow-linked arson plot. German authorities, ranking as major military backers of Ukraine, suspect Russia of orchestrating many drone incidents as part of a broader campaign of sabotage, espionage, and disinformation.