--- title: "Merz: Berlin will soon name all those involved in the attack on the Ukrainian An-124 in Leipzig" description: "German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that Berlin will soon name those involved in the attack on the Ukrainian An-124 at Leipzig/Halle Airport, and promised that no attacks will stop support for Ukraine." date: 2026-08-25T10:52:01.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/merz-statement-on-attack-on-an-124-in-germany tags: [germany, friedrich-merz, ukraine, an-124, hybrid-attacks, leipzig-halle] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Merz: Berlin will soon name all those involved in the attack on the Ukrainian An-124 in Leipzig ![Friedrich Merz in front of CDU party logos commenting on the attack on Ukrainian An-124 in Leipzig](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/25/merz-zayavlenie-o-atake-na-an-124-v-germanii/merz-zayavlenie-o-atake-na-an-124-v-germanii-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz commented publicly for the first time on the incident involving the Ukrainian An-124 at Leipzig/Halle Airport. - Berlin will soon name those involved in the attack; the investigation is ongoing, and authorities have information they are not yet disclosing. - Merz stated that Germany is increasingly becoming a target of hybrid attacks and must strengthen its defense capabilities. - The Chancellor promised that no attacks will stop the support that Berlin provides to Ukraine. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has commented publicly for the first time on the incident involving the Ukrainian transport aircraft An-124 "Ruslan" at Leipzig/Halle Airport. According to him, the investigation is ongoing, and Berlin will soon name all those involved in the attack. The statement came against the backdrop of a growing number of incidents involving drones of unknown origin recorded near the Ukrainian aircraft, and it marked the first direct public comment by the head of the German government on the matter. ### Chancellor's first public statement Merz emphasized that law enforcement agencies are continuing to identify those involved in the incident, and that the results of the investigation will be announced in the near future. The Chancellor also indicated that Berlin already has certain information that authorities are not yet in a hurry to disclose, as its publication requires reliable confirmation. "We will make this information public soon," he promised, without revealing details or naming specific suspects or versions of events. ### Hybrid attacks and a course toward strengthening defense Against the backdrop of recent events, Merz drew attention to the fact that Germany is increasingly becoming a target of so-called hybrid attacks. That is precisely why, in his words, the country consistently adheres to key political principles: Germany must remain a safe state, strengthen its defense capabilities, and deter potential aggressors. The Chancellor stated that those responsible for hybrid attacks must be held accountable, but did not specify what exact punishment could await those involved in the incident in Leipzig. ### Contradictory data There is a notable inconsistency in the public wording and in related reports. On the one hand, Merz and official sources characterize the origin of the drones as "unknown" and the investigation as ongoing. On the other hand, it was previously reported that official Berlin had already settled on the main version of events and knew who exactly could have carried out the attack, and that, according to media reports, another drone was found in Germany that could have been used in the attack on the Ukrainian aircraft. Thus, the public rhetoric of "unknown origin" and "ongoing investigation" coexists with claims that authorities already have a working version and an understanding of the circle of possible culprits. Until the official release of the results, both versions remain not fully confirmed. ### Support for Ukraine and the defense context Merz also promised that no attacks or intimidation could stop the aid and support that Berlin provides to Ukraine. This statement fits into Germany's broader defense course, which includes, among other things, expanding weapons purchases and strengthening deterrence. In the same vein, it was previously reported on plans for Germany to acquire Tomahawk cruise missiles from the United States, which underscores Berlin's course on strengthening its own defense capabilities against the backdrop of growing hybrid threats. ## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification - [Merz makes a loud statement about the attack on a Ukrainian aircraft in Germany](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/merts-vistupiv-iz-guchnoyu-zayavoyu-shchodo-1787654339.html) - Подтверждает первое публичное заявление Мерца о названии причастных к атаке на Ан-124 в Лейпциге, продолжающееся расследование и курс на усиление обороны. - [Merz: Germany to buy Tomahawk cruise missiles from the US](https://www.aa.com.tr/ru/%D0%BC%D0%B8%D1%80/%D0%BC%D0%B5%D1%80%D1%86-%D0%B3%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%BC%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B8%D1%8F-%D0%B7%D0%B0%D0%BA%D1%83%D0%BF%D0%B8%D1%82-%D1%83-%D1%81%D1%88%D0%B0-%D0%BA%D1%80%D1%8B%D0%BB%D0%B0%D1%82%D1%8B%D0%B5-%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%B5%D1%82%D1%8B-tomahawk-/3992918) - Использован как оборонный контекст (закупка Tomahawk), не относится напрямую к инциденту с дроном. ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: What did the German Chancellor say about the attack on the Ukrainian An-124? **A:** Friedrich Merz stated that the investigation is ongoing and that Berlin will soon name all those involved in the attack on the Ukrainian aircraft at Leipzig/Halle Airport. ### Q: Is it known who carried out the attack? **A:** Publicly, Merz characterizes the origin of the drones as unknown and speaks of an ongoing investigation, while it was previously reported that Berlin already has a working version. The culprits have not yet been officially named. ### Q: How is Germany reacting to such incidents? **A:** Merz stated that Germany is increasingly becoming a target of hybrid attacks, and therefore must remain a safe state, strengthen its defense capabilities, deter potential aggressors, and hold those responsible accountable. ### Q: Will this stop support for Ukraine? **A:** No, the Chancellor promised that no attacks or intimidation can stop the aid and support that Berlin provides to Ukraine.