Key facts
- An explosive-laden drone was discovered at Leipzig airport, a NATO base.
- German counterterrorism authorities are investigating the incident.
- US intelligence agencies suspect Russia was behind the drone discovery.
- A DHL cargo plane sustained impact damage after a flight diversion.
- The drone contained Semtex explosive, similar to that used in the Lockerbie bombing.
- Leipzig airport hosts NATO's Strategic Airlift International Solution (SALIS).
German counterterrorism authorities are investigating an explosive-laden drone found at Leipzig airport, a significant base for the NATO alliance. The device, discovered late Tuesday by an airport worker in a restricted cargo area, was disarmed by a police bomb disposal robot. Flights were temporarily suspended, and a DHL cargo aircraft sustained impact damage during a diversion. Officials indicated the drone's detonator failed, preventing an explosion, and noted its proximity to a Ukrainian Antonov transport aircraft. The explosive used was identified as Semtex, similar to that used in the 1988 Lockerbie bombing. Leipzig airport is home to NATO's Strategic Airlift International Solution (SALIS) and serves as a maintenance base for Ukrainian Antonov aircraft. Security authorities have internally classified the incident as an attempted attack. Germany's Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt and Saxony's Interior Minister Armin Schuster have commented on the seriousness of the event. Ukraine's ambassador to Germany suggested Russia's involvement, while Moscow has denied responsibility.