Explosive-laden drone found near Ukrainian plane at German airport; cargo aircraft hit by unidentified object

German authorities launched a major security operation overnight after an explosives-laden drone was discovered near a Ukrainian cargo aircraft at Leipzig-Halle Airport, while a separate cargo plane collided with an unidentified flying object before landing safely at another airport.

The incident prompted officials to suspend operations at the airport shortly before midnight, with all incoming flights diverted for several hours as bomb disposal experts secured the area.

Police deployed an explosives disposal robot to remove the detonator from the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which was found on the airport tarmac near an Antonov Airlines cargo aircraft.

Leipzig-Halle Airport is a key logistics hub for military shipments used by Germany and its NATO allies and also serves as an operational base for Ukraine’s Antonov Airlines.

Video footage released by a local news agency showed the bomb disposal robot operating near an Antonov aircraft painted in the colours of the Ukrainian flag and carrying the slogan “Be Brave Like Kherson,” a reference to the Ukrainian region heavily targeted by Russian attacks.

Second aircraft struck by unidentified object

As the security operation unfolded, a DHL cargo aircraft that had aborted its landing after the alarm was raised reportedly struck an unidentified object about six kilometres from the airport.

According to German daily Bild, the aircraft sustained minor damage to its nose before safely landing at Hanover Airport.

German police later confirmed that “a suspected second unidentified flying object collided with a cargo aircraft” and that “minor damage to the aircraft was discovered after it landed in Hanover”.

Explosives attached to drone

German police initially described the incident as a “security-related incident” that forced the temporary suspension of airport operations.

“Shortly before midnight, an unidentified flying object was sighted near Leipzig-Halle Airport, prompting the diversion of several aircraft — including a passenger plane — to other airports,” police said.

Officials added: “In addition, an object was detected near the southern runway, which was initially examined by the federal police, a process that involved the deployment of an explosives disposal robot.”

Police and prosecutors later confirmed that the drone had been fitted with an explosive device and that a specialist federal police unit “removed the detonator from the explosive attachment”.

German magazine Der Spiegel reported that investigators classified the payload attached to the four-rotor drone as an improvised explosive and incendiary device.

Ukraine points finger at Russia

Ukraine’s ambassador to Germany, Oleksii Makeiev, suggested Moscow could be behind the incident, although German authorities have not presented evidence linking Russia to the case.

“Who else could it be but Russia?” Makeiev told Welt TV.

There was no immediate response from Moscow.

Investigation underway

Regular flight operations resumed early Wednesday, although only the airport’s northern runway remained operational while investigators examined the southern runway where the drone was found.

German counter-terrorism police have launched an investigation and appealed for witnesses who may have seen suspicious drone activity near the airport.

Series of security incidents

The latest incident comes amid growing concerns across Europe over repeated drone sightings near airports, military bases and critical infrastructure.

German authorities have previously said they suspect Russia of orchestrating several such incidents as part of a broader campaign involving sabotage, espionage and disinformation targeting countries supporting Ukraine.

In July 2024, a parcel caught fire at Leipzig-Halle Airport before it could be loaded onto a DHL cargo aircraft in what security agencies investigated as a suspected Russia-linked sabotage attempt. Moscow has denied involvement.

The airport has also previously been at the centre of an espionage case involving China. Last year, a Chinese national was convicted of passing information about flight schedules and cargo movements at Leipzig-Halle Airport to an individual accused of spying for Beijing.

Referring to the 2024 DHL parcel incident, Makeiev said Russia had been carrying out a sustained campaign against Europe.

“Indeed, Russia has long been waging this hybrid war,” he said. “Yet the word ‘hybrid’ somehow downplays the fact that Russia is waging war not only against Ukraine but also against Europe.”

With inputs from agencies