Third drone and suspected military explosives found near Leipzig airport

German investigators have uncovered a third drone and suspected military explosives near Leipzig airport, in a development linked to an attempted sabotage of the cargo and military logistics hub. The discovery was reported in Kabelsketal, just west of the airport, and is said to have taken place on 14 August, 10 days after the unsuccessful attack. Leipzig airport is used for cargo operations and military logistics, including transport linked to NATO and Ukraine's Antonov Airlines.

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The latest findings include about 50 grams of what investigators believe to be a military explosive. The office of the prosecutor general, which is leading the inquiry, has declined to comment. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the government would soon provide information about who it believes was behind the drone attacks, while stressing that officials were working closely with security authorities.

He said the government would present its findings shortly, but did not name a suspect. The case has raised concern because it involves infrastructure with strategic value for both civilian freight and military supply chains. According to investigators, a drone carrying explosives was found on 4 August near a Ukrainian Antonov cargo plane used for military supplies.

They said the drone appeared intended to land on the aircraft's wings, where fuel was present, but the explosive device did not detonate. About 20 minutes later, a second drone may have collided with a DHL cargo plane, which aborted its landing and was diverted to Marseille. The incident comes at a time when German officials are increasingly focused on drone threats to critical infrastructure.

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Merz said the attempted attack showed that Germany was becoming a target and warned that attackers were increasingly willing to accept serious property damage and even injuries or deaths. Intelligence sources cited by German broadcasters and a newspaper have suggested possible involvement by Russian intelligence, although Moscow has denied any role. The German government has so far avoided taking a clear public position on whether Russia, or an actor close to it, was responsible.

Leipzig airport's role as a logistics hub gives the investigation wider significance beyond the immediate security breach. The airport handles cargo and has been used for military transport connected to NATO and Ukraine, making it a sensitive site in the broader European security environment. The discovery of a third drone and suspected explosives suggests investigators are still piecing together the scale and intent of the operation.

It also raises questions about whether the attack was coordinated and how the devices were brought close to the airport. What remains unclear is who organised the drone activity, whether the devices were linked to a single operation, and how far the suspected sabotage progressed before being detected. Authorities have not publicly confirmed a suspect, and the prosecutor general's office has not commented on the latest reports.

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