Key facts
- An explosive drone was discovered near a Ukrainian Antonov transport aircraft at Leipzig/Halle Airport.
- The drone, reportedly carrying PETN and Semtex, had its detonator removed by authorities.
- A DHL cargo plane sustained minor damage after colliding with an object mid-air.
- German counterterrorism authorities are investigating the incident as a potential attempted hybrid attack.
- Flight operations at Leipzig/Halle Airport were temporarily suspended, causing diversions.
- A previous incident involving an incendiary device at the airport in 2024 is suspected to be linked to Russian intelligence.
German authorities are investigating an explosive drone found near a Ukrainian transport plane at Leipzig/Halle Airport, an incident that the country's interior minister described as a "new quality of danger" and a potential "hybrid attack scenario."
Flights at the major freight hub were temporarily suspended and diverted after the drone, reportedly carrying explosives like PETN and Semtex, was discovered near the south runway shortly before midnight Tuesday. Police and prosecutors confirmed the drone's detonator was removed, preventing an explosion. The incident has raised concerns for international aviation security.
A DHL cargo plane sustained minor damage after colliding with an unknown object mid-air, forcing it to divert to Hannover. Authorities are also searching for parts of a possible second drone, as a second flying object reportedly collided with the freight airplane.
The Leipzig/Halle Airport's north runway was reopened after approximately two hours, while the south runway remained closed for maintenance. Photos from the scene showed police technicians using an explosives-disposal robot near a Ukrainian Antonov transport aircraft, which are based at the airport. Western security officials suspect Russian intelligence was behind a previous incident at the airport in 2024 involving an incendiary device.