Further details have emerged concerning the drone discovery at Leipzig/Halle Airport. According to reports from WDR, NDR, and SZ, the Ukrainian cargo plane, in which a bomb drone was found, is believed to have been loaded with ammunition. The explosive material on the drone is reportedly of military origin.
Following the incident, Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) spoke of a “new quality of danger” and a “hybrid attack scenario.” The drone was detected by airport staff between Tuesday and Wednesday night as it hovered between two Antonov cargo planes. Investigators were recently able to evaluate airport surveillance camera footage, according to the three media outlets, which suggests the drone had landed on the apron hours earlier.
After the drone was discovered, air traffic was temporarily suspended. A DHL cargo flight had to take off and collided with an object, possibly another drone. The aircraft was redirected to Hannover-Langenhagen. Experts identified damage to the front section, but a bird strike was ruled out. The investigation remains focused on the drone equipped with explosives.
