German Police Probe Sabotage After Explosive Drone Found at Airport

German police seized a drone equipped with an explosive device and a detonator near a Ukrainian Antonov cargo aircraft at Leipzig/Halle Airport shortly before midnight on August 4, 2026. The Federal Police of Germany have classified the incident as a state security offense and are investigating it as a potential sabotage attack, warning that Russian agents may have organized the overflight.

The discovery disrupted overnight operations, forcing the closure of the southern runway and the diversion of several aircraft, including a passenger flight from Mallorca. Operations in the northern section of the airport resumed around 2 a.m. on August 5, while bomb disposal experts continued their investigation on the southern runway.

In a separate incident, a cargo plane collided with an unidentified object approximately six kilometers from the airport, sustaining minor damage before landing at Hanover airport. The Federal Government of Russia has denied any involvement in the drone incident, while NATO confirmed it is aware of the situation as German authorities continue their probe.