A major German airport was thrown into lockdown after workers discovered what investigators believe was an explosive-laden drone close to aircraft on the tarmac, prompting a counterterrorism investigation and renewed fears of sabotage.
The device was found in the cargo apron area at Leipzig/Halle Airport near aircraft operated by Ukrainian cargo carrier Antonov Airlines, according to German media reports citing police documents.
In a dramatic twist, an airport employee reportedly picked up and held the drone before anyone realised it may have contained explosives.
Investigators later concluded the drone was fitted with a detonation mechanism, with initial forensic tests reportedly detecting traces of explosive nitrates. According to Bild, officials suspect the payload may have contained Semtex, a powerful military-grade explosive.
Documents cited by Welt suggest disaster may have been narrowly avoided after investigators concluded the detonator had become detached during the drone’s flight, preventing an explosion.
The discovery triggered a major security operation. Bomb disposal specialists deployed a remote-controlled robot to examine the device while parts of the airport were sealed off, disrupting cargo operations.
The incident prompted Germany’s Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt to cut short a holiday in Italy and return for emergency talks with senior security officials. Chancellor Friedrich Merz was also briefed while on holiday in Bavaria.
Saxony Interior Minister Armin Schuster described the discovery as “a very serious security incident.
Police said unidentified flying objects were detected near the airport shortly before midnight, forcing several aircraft, including a passenger flight, to divert. A second suspicious object near the southern runway was also examined by bomb disposal teams.
Separately, a DHL cargo aircraft was forced to make an unscheduled landing in Hanover after striking an unidentified object during take-off. The aircraft suffered minor damage to its nose, and German authorities have opened a state security investigation.
NATO said it was aware of the incident, while speculation quickly turned towards possible Russian involvement.
Ukraine’s ambassador to Germany, Oleksii Makeiev, suggested Moscow was the most likely culprit, while senior German lawmaker Konstantin von Notz warned that, if a foreign state were responsible, the incident could amount to “state terrorism”.
German authorities have repeatedly accused Russia of conducting drone surveillance and sabotage operations targeting military bases, airports and critical infrastructure. The Kremlin has consistently denied involvement.
Investigators have not publicly identified those responsible, and the inquiry remains ongoing.