'Modified drone' found at Germany's Leipzig airport near Ukrainian aircraft, second collides with cargo plane
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Flights at Germany's Leipzig/Halle Airport were suspended overnight on Aug. 5 after a "modified drone" was sighted and later found next to a Ukrainian Antonov Airlines An-124 transport aircraft, and a second "unidentified flying object" collided with an incoming DHL cargo plane.
The DHL aircraft diverted to Hanover airport where "minor damage" was discovered to the airframe.
"There is no danger to life or health of passengers or airport staff. Passenger air traffic is not affected," German prosecutors stressed.
The "modified drone" contained an "unknown substance" and a "detonator," according to police sources speaking to German media outlet Süddeutsche Zeitung.
As part of the police response, a bomb disposal robot was deployed and a controlled explosion was carried out.
According to a statement from the Leipzig Police Directorate, "a security-related incident occurred at Leipzig/Halle Airport on Wednesday night," which led to the suspension of flight operations.
"The incidents at Leipzig Airport constitute a very serious security incident," Saxon State Interior Minister Armin Schuster said in a statement.
Leipzig/Halle Airport has served as a base for Ukraine's Antonov Airlines since shortly after the launch of Russia's full-scale invasion. According to the German outlet Bild, four Ukrainian cargo aircraft were present during the suspected attack.
German police have not identified those responsible for the incident and efforts to identify the pilot are ongoing.
Suspected Russian-linked drone incidents have repeatedly disrupted airports across Europe, causing flight suspensions and diversions.
