Third drone and RDX explosive found near Leipzig Airport
Investigators found a third drone and 50 grams of RDX on a field near Leipzig on 14 August. The Federal Criminal Police Office is investigating on suspicion of state terrorism.
New findings suggest planned major attack on Leipzig/Halle Airport
Ten days after the drone attack on Leipzig/Halle Airport, investigators have secured another unmanned aircraft and military explosive. According to BILD, the third drone was found on 14 August on a field in Kabelsketal (Saalekreis, Saxony-Anhalt) – an area that borders directly on the western part of the airport.
Approximately 50 grams of the highly explosive military explosive RDX were secured according to NDR, WDR and Süddeutsche Zeitung, citing security circles. The findings suggest to investigators that the perpetrators had planned a far more extensive attack than previously known. According to the report, there is no official confirmation from the Federal Prosecutor's Office.
Chronology: Three drones in one night
On 4 August, a drone carrying explosive was discovered at Leipzig/Halle Airport for the first time, apparently aimed at a Ukrainian military cargo aircraft of the Antonov type – the detonator failed. During the same night, a second drone is said to have collided with a DHL cargo aircraft; investigators found damage to the aircraft's tailplane. Flight operations were halted immediately after the initial discovery, and a cargo aircraft had to abort its landing and was diverted to Hanover.
According to BILD information from security circles, investigators suspected early on that three drones might have been in use – initially, however, only two were being searched for.
Control system discovered in abandoned location
In the neighbouring abandoned village of Kursdorf (Saxony), investigators secured a "technical construction" according to the media report, which is believed to have been used to control the third drone. An antenna and other electronics were attached to a tree with adhesive tape. At the discovery site there are also indications of scorched earth and metal parts – possibly remains of an explosion.
Federal Criminal Police Office investigates on suspicion of state terrorism
The third drone was also equipped with military explosive but did not detonate. "The failure to detonate can be attributed to technical or human error," an investigator told BILD. A DNA trace was secured at the discovery site.
The Federal Criminal Police Office is investigating under the direction of the Federal Prosecutor General on suspicion of state terrorism. The authorities suspect a hybrid attack by foreign powers behind the coordinated drone attack.
Source: BILD