Third explosive drone found near Leipzig Airport – foreign power suspected
A third drone carrying explosives has been found near Leipzig Airport, according to German media. Investigators suspect a foreign power of being behind a hybrid attack on German infrastructure.
Third drone with explosives discovered near Leipzig
A third drone equipped with explosives has been found near the airport in the German city of Leipzig, according to Ekstra Bladet citing several German media outlets, including Süddeutsche Zeitung.
The drone was found on 14 August in a field in Kabelsketal in Saxony-Anhalt, which borders the western part of the airport – ten days after a similar discovery on 4 August. According to reports, it contained approximately 50 grammes of the explosive hexogen.
The German public prosecutor's office has yet to comment on the latest discovery, despite the fact that it took place 11 days ago.
First drone hit transport aircraft
The case began in early August when a transport aircraft collided with a drone and had to be diverted to Hannover. Subsequently, damage was found to the aircraft's tail rudder, whilst the drone itself was found in a cargo area at Leipzig Airport.
The media outlet Bild had previously learned that investigators had been searching for three drones from the outset based on observations from the same day. Initially, only two were found – now the third has also been located.
Suspicion of hybrid attack from foreign power
Based on the earlier discoveries, the German state prosecutor has described the situation as a 'hybrid attack scenario'. According to German media, the new discovery suggests that a much larger attack than previously assumed had been prepared.
During the investigation, an 'electronic device' was also found in the abandoned village of Kursdorf, which investigators believe may have been used to control the drones.
German investigators assess that the equipment found is too advanced for private actors to be behind it, and instead point to a foreign power. It is believed that a human or technical error is the reason the drones were never brought to detonation.
Leipzig Airport is one of Europe's largest cargo hubs, and the potential attacks are therefore regarded as a targeted hybrid attack on German infrastructure.
Source: Ekstra Bladet