Ukrainian Aircraft in Leipzig Was Loaded with Ammunition
German investigators reveal new details about the security incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport that temporarily halted air traffic.
German investigators reveal new details about the security incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport that temporarily halted air traffic.
A Ukrainian Antonov cargo aircraft, near which a drone with explosives and a detonator was discovered at Leipzig/Halle Airport on Tuesday, was loaded with ammunition. This information was published on Thursday by German media outlets WDR, NDR, and Süddeutsche Zeitung, citing a confidential police report.
According to the report, one of the Antonov aircraft next to which the drone was found was carrying ammunition. It appears to have been transported from France to Leipzig shortly before the incident and was likely intended for further transport. Leipzig/Halle Airport is considered an important logistics hub for military operations, and Ukraine has been using it as an alternative location for transporting military cargo since the start of the Russian invasion.
The reconstruction of events reveals a concerning security lapse. Airport staff only noticed the drone at 11:42 PM, while it was "hovering above the ground between two Antonov cargo aircraft." Subsequently, there was "contact between the drone and an employee," after which the aircraft fell to the ground. A review of surveillance camera footage later revealed that the drone had entered the airport from the south side as early as 7:28 PM and landed in a parking area. The airport's drone protection system, which is in place, had not previously detected the aircraft.
Federal Minister of the Interior Alexander Dobrindt stated on Wednesday evening that the perpetrators likely modified the drone to deliberately bypass the protection systems. A fist-sized package of explosives was attached to the drone, and numerous substance analyses suggest it was likely Semtex, an explosive used for military and industrial purposes. Members of the Saxony State Criminal Police Office (LKA Sachsen) managed to remove the detonator to allow further investigation of the aircraft.
The incident also caused additional complications. After the discovery of the suspicious drone, air traffic was temporarily suspended. A DHL cargo aircraft arriving from Marseille had to take off again. According to internal reports, this aircraft struck an unidentified object near the airport fence at a speed of approximately 500 km/h. There is suspicion that it was another drone. The aircraft, which investigators believe was carrying dangerous cargo, managed to continue its flight and was diverted to Hanover Airport. Damage was found on the front of the aircraft, and crew members have already been interviewed.
The German Ministry of Defense stated that there were no Bundeswehr military transport operations at the airport at that time. The investigation remains primarily focused on the drone with explosives, and the DHL aircraft is expected to undergo additional forensic analysis, including analysis of its flight recorders. NATO has confirmed to the media that it is aware of the incident.
