German authorities uncovered a third unmanned aerial vehicle and approximately 50 grams of suspected military explosive material in Kabelsketal, west of Leipzig airport, on 14 August. The discovery is believed connected to an attempted attack on the facility ten days earlier. Leipzig airport operates as a cargo and military logistics center utilized by NATO and Ukraine’s Antonov Airlines for transporting military supplies.
The initial incident occurred on 4 August when a drone carrying explosives was located near a Ukrainian Antonov cargo aircraft. Investigators determined the device was apparently designed to land on the aircraft’s wings, which contained kerosene, though the explosive failed to detonate. Approximately twenty minutes later, a second drone potentially collided with a DHL cargo plane, forcing the aircraft to abandon its landing approach and redirect to Marseille. Damage to the DHL aircraft’s tail section suggested impact with an object, though the drone remains undiscovered and may have been damaged beyond recovery.
Forensic analysis of the third drone identified residues suggesting the presence of hexogen, a highly explosive military compound. Like the previous devices, this explosive also failed to detonate. Investigators’ assessments indicated perpetrators may have planned a substantially larger operation than initially understood. Additional suspicious materials were recovered near the airport, including an antenna affixed to a tree and electronic components potentially used for drone control. Investigators also identified a burnt area and charred metal fragments near locations where witnesses reported hearing loud sounds during the incident.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated the government would soon announce findings regarding responsibility for the attacks, declaring that those involved “will pay for this.” Intelligence sources cited by German broadcasters suggested possible Russian involvement, though Moscow has denied participation. The German government has not formally attributed responsibility. Officials emphasized that successful detonation of these devices could have resulted in catastrophic consequences.
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