Third Drone and Military-Grade Explosive Found Near Leipzig Airport

On August 14, German investigators discovered a third drone in a field west of Leipzig Airport — the latest in a string of incidents that began ten days earlier, according to broadcasters NDR and WDR, as well as the newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung.

The following day, forensic experts and police found around 50 grams of a substance at the same site, which they suspect could be the military explosive RDX (cyclonite). Germany's Federal Prosecutor's Office has declined to comment on the discovery of the third drone.

Attack on a Ukrainian aircraft

According to investigators, the latest find is linked to events on the night of August 5, when a drone packed with explosives was discovered near a Ukrainian Antonov cargo plane at Leipzig Airport. Investigators believe the drone was likely meant to target the aircraft, which had been used to transport military cargo, but the explosive device failed to detonate.

The airport was temporarily shut down that night just before midnight after the drone was spotted. As a result, a DHL cargo plane on approach was forced to abort its landing. A few minutes later, at around 12:03 a.m., investigators say the aircraft struck an unknown object — possibly a second drone.

DNA trace and suspicions pointing to Russia

Investigators found a DNA trace on the drone discovered on August 4, though it has not yet been matched to a specific individual. However, German media report that the sample matches DNA collected during the investigation into an arson attack on a DHL logistics center in Leipzig in July 2024.

Security sources cited by German media suspect possible involvement of Russian intelligence services in planning the attacks. Moscow denies any responsibility.

Source: novinky.cz