Explosive drone found next to Ukrainian Antonov An-124 at Leipzig Halle Airport, DHL jet also struck unidentified object
An explosive-laden drone was found next to a Ukrainian Antonov An-124 cargo plane on the secure apron at Leipzig/Halle Airport Wednesday. Its detonator failed. A DHL cargo jet struck an unidentified object nearby and diverted to Hanover. Ukraine's ambassador suspects Russia; no e
Ground crew at Germany's Leipzig/Halle Airport discovered an explosive-laden drone parked on the secure cargo apron early Wednesday, positioned next to a Ukrainian Antonov An-124 freighter. The device's detonator failed to trigger, according to investigators, and it did not explode. In a separate incident the same day, a DHL cargo aircraft aborted its landing approach and struck an unidentified flying object roughly 6 kilometers from the airport at about 400 meters altitude. The plane sustained minor nose damage and diverted safely to Hanover. German police classified the drone's payload as an improvised explosive and incendiary device, according to Der Spiegel. Ukraine's ambassador to Germany, Oleksii Makeiev, said he suspects Russia was behind the device. German authorities have not presented evidence tying the incident to any actor, and Moscow has not commented. Leipzig/Halle Airport is a significant hub for cargo bound for Ukraine, including aircraft like the An-124 used for outsized military and humanitarian loads. That an explosive device reached the secure apron undetected is itself a security failure at a facility tied to the war effort, independent of who ultimately planted it.