Germany says Russia behind attempted drone attack at Leipzig airport

The German government said on Tuesday that it held Russia "responsible" for an attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport on August 4.

"The federal government concludes that Russia is responsible for the hybrid attack in Leipzig," said Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt at a press conference in Berlin .

"The means used — such as the drone configuration, components, explosives and detonation systems — are known to us from other hybrid operations by Russia and its war against Ukraine ," added Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul .

He said the attack fit the pattern of a "long series of destabilization operations" against Europe.

Authorities discovered a drone fitted with explosives and a detonation mechanism on the evening of August 4 in the security area of Leipzig/Halle Airport between Ukrainian cargo aircraft and believe a second drone may have collided with a DHL aircraft nearby.

Last week, German media reported a third drone, also loaded with explosives, had also been discovered at the airport.

German federal prosecutors described the incident as a "serious attack on Germany's transport and logistics infrastructure."

"Taken together, police investigations, patterns of the crime and intelligence findings substantiate Russian responsibility for the attempted attack at Leipzig Airport," said Interior Minister Dobrindt on Tuesday.