A serious investigation is underway at Leipzig Airport (Germany) after a suspicious object was discovered near the runway. On Wednesday night, German security services found a drone that, according to preliminary data, had been modified to carry an explosive device. The incident occurred in close proximity to a parked Ukrainian cargo giant, the An-124.
The event led to a temporary suspension of airfield operations, and several flights were forced to be diverted to other cities. However, the threat was not limited to ground equipment: shortly after operations resumed, a DHL cargo plane taking off from the runway collided in mid-air with another unidentified object. The aircraft landed safely in Hanover, where experts recorded minor damage.
Investigation: from terrorism to a state contract
German investigative authorities are treating the case with maximum seriousness. The investigation is being handled by the anti-terrorist division of the Dresden prosecutor's office with the support of the Saxony state police. According to the publication Die Zeit, investigators are considering several scenarios, including the theory of an attempted attack on Ukrainian equipment by Russia.
Political figures and experts in Berlin do not rule out that the incident could become a turning point in regional security. Mark Heinrichmann, head of the Bundestag's intelligence oversight committee from the CDU party, stated that the strike could have been directed at a company of critical importance to Ukraine.
Constantin von Notz, the Greens' spokesperson on intelligence oversight, spoke of more serious consequences. According to him, if Russia's guilt is proven, this will be classified not just as a terrorist act, but as "state terrorism" directed against the Federal Republic of Germany and its citizens.
Reaction from Kyiv and NATO
Official Kyiv immediately pointed to the likely organizer. Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany Alexey Makeev, in an interview with Welt TV, expressed confidence in Moscow's involvement. "Who else could it be but Russia?" the diplomat stated.
At the same time, no official evidence linking Moscow to the incident has been presented yet. The Kremlin has not commented on the situation, while NATO confirmed that the alliance has been informed of the events and is closely monitoring the progress of the German authorities' investigation.
The situation in Leipzig remains under the close attention of intelligence services, as confirmation of the theory of a Russian link could mean a new level of conflict escalation on European territory.
