Two Russian suspects identified in Germany airport drone ‘hybrid attack’

German law enforcement has identified two Russian suspects in connection with an attempted "hybrid attack" involving an explosive-laden drone at Leipzig airport last month. The German government has blamed Russia for the incident and announced retaliatory measures, including closing the Russian consulate in Bonn and a Russian cultural center in Berlin.

The first suspect, a Belarusian national with a Russian passport, was reportedly found at the airport with DNA traces on the drone and other evidence. The second suspect, believed to be a Latvian-Russian dual citizen, acted as logistics coordinator and instructor for the attack. Authorities identified the suspects through DNA traces found on the drone, an explosive-filled container, and an antenna attached to a tree. The drone was discovered in the secure cargo area of Leipzig airport, close to a Ukrainian cargo plane.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented on the incident, stating that he had discussed the "Russian attack" on German soil with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz by telephone. He emphasized that this was another escalation by Russia and praised Germany's response. Russian President Vladimir Putin responded by calling Germany's reaction a "serious mistake" and summoned Germany's charge d'affaires to protest what Russia called "anti-Russian actions and statements by the German authorities."