Drones sighted over German military base days after airport incident

Two drones were spotted over a military base in Mechernich, western Germany, on Aug. 7, authorities said. This sighting occurred two days after an explosive-laden drone was found near a runway at Leipzig/Halle Airport in eastern Germany. The drone at Leipzig was discovered close to Ukrainian Antonov An-124 cargo airplanes and contained a detonator and an unknown substance. Another drone collided with a DHL cargo plane at the same airport, causing minor damage and temporary flight suspensions. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt described the Leipzig incident as "very serious" and did not rule out the possibility of "foreign powers" being involved, suggesting it could be a "hybrid attack." The Russian embassy in Berlin dismissed the Leipzig event as a "fabricated provocation." The incidents have revived concerns about drones penetrating NATO airspace and intensified debate about the alliance's readiness for new security threats. German lawmakers have accused Russia, which is at war with Ukraine.