Ukrainian Antonov cargo planes and a DHL plane at Leipzig/Halle Airport in Schkeuditz, Germany, August 5, 2026 (Photo: REUTERS/Axel Schmidt)
The German government plans to increase military aid to Ukraine after Berlin attributed an August drone incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport to Russia, Der Spiegel reported, citing sources on Sept. 3.
According to journalists, Germany plans to deliver thousands of strike drones and missiles for IRIS-T air defense systems to Ukraine in September. Government sources also said Berlin intends to strengthen cooperation between German and Ukrainian intelligence services.
The outlet reported that the government is considering continuing to help Ukraine obtain target coordinates for counterstrikes against Russia.
Germany’s intelligence services are also expected to receive broader powers. Parliament is expected to pass legislation on intelligence services this fall that would allow them to take “active measures” to counter attacks.
Der Spiegel reported that agents from Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service, or BND, could in the future be allowed to infiltrate attackers’ computers and servers and delete stolen data. They could also be authorized to interfere with supply chains, including by replacing components in shipments destined for hostile states.
According to the report, in cases involving particularly serious threats, BND agents could even hack IT systems at facilities such as drone factories or chemical weapons laboratories to sabotage production.
At the same time, the government plans to increase pressure on Russia. In addition to measures already announced, including the closure of the Russian Consulate General in Bonn and the Russian House in Berlin, Germany intends to push for tougher sanctions at the European level, the outlet reported.
The measures include increasing pressure on Russia’s shadow fleet, introducing new restrictions and tightening controls on the entry of Russian citizens into the European Union.
Leipzig airport drone incident
Overnight into Aug. 5, a drone carrying a detonator and explosives was discovered at Germany’s Leipzig/Halle Airport, which has served as a base for Ukrainian Antonov aircraft since 2022. The drone was found on the runway near a Ukrainian An-124 Ruslan cargo plane.
On Aug. 6, German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the incident was not the work of amateurs and that a foreign state could have been involved. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said no one was injured at Leipzig airport and that aircraft belonging to Ukrainian company Antonov were not damaged.
Media reports said the An-124 was carrying ammunition, but Germany’s Interior Ministry denied the reports.
U.S. officials familiar with intelligence about the incident told The Wall Street Journal that the explosive-laden drone was likely linked to the Russian government.
On Aug. 25, NDR, WDR and Süddeutsche Zeitung reported in a joint investigation that three drones were involved in the attempted attack on the Ukrainian An-124 cargo plane in Leipzig and that the planned strike was larger in scale than previously reported.
On Sept. 1, the German government formally accused Russia of an attempted terrorist attack at Leipzig airport.
On Sept. 2, Deutsche Welle reported that Germany had closed the Russian Consulate General in Bonn following the Leipzig incident. It was Russia’s last consulate general in Germany. Russian citizens can now obtain consular services only at the Russian Embassy in Berlin.
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