The investigation into the attempted sabotage at Leipzig/Halle Airport has received a new, critically important vector. German law enforcement agencies discovered biological material on the debris of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that attacked the Ukrainian cargo aircraft An-124 "Ruslan." Analysis showed that the found genetic profile matches DNA previously recorded in the Lithuanian database.
Genetic trace and international resonance
As reported by the German publication Die Zeit, citing sources in the investigative agencies, the discovery of DNA has become a breakthrough in the investigation of the incident that occurred at the German airport. The biological material found on the drone's body was identified as belonging to an individual whose data had previously been submitted to Lithuanian law enforcement structures. However, despite the match, the identity of the DNA owner has not yet been established. The investigation does not specify the exact context in which this genetic profile was registered in Lithuania — it could refer to criminal databases or other registries.
This fact moves the investigation from the realm of a local incident to an international level, requiring close cooperation between German and Lithuanian intelligence services. For now, it is unclear whether the DNA owner is the perpetrator of the attack or simply a person whose data was compromised or used by third parties.
Technical details of the attack and drone construction
The incident in Leipzig, which received widespread resonance, occurred when an FPV drone with explosives crashed into the wing of the Ukrainian An-124. The impact hit a dangerous zone where fuel tanks are located, but detonation did not occur. According to Die Zeit, the explosive substance, identified as Semtex, was found some distance from the drone debris, suggesting that it separated from the carrier upon impact.
Experts paid special attention to the construction of the drone itself. It was not a standard commercial drone, but a specially manufactured device of complex design, capable of bypassing standard airport radar control systems. The drone's ability to remain undetected until the moment of impact indicates a high level of preparation by the perpetrators and the use of advanced signal masking technologies.
Contradictory data
During the investigation, serious disagreements arose regarding the contents of the aircraft's cargo hold, which became the subject of public discussion in German media. Previously, such authoritative publications as WDR, NDR, and Süddeutsche Zeitung, citing confidential police documents, claimed that the attacked An-124 was transporting ammunition. This version created a tense atmosphere and implied that the target of the attack was specifically the cargo.
However, Die Zeit publishes data that directly contradicts previous reports. According to the publication, the German Ministry of the Interior unofficially refuted information about the transport of ammunition. According to this version, at the time of the incident, Ukrainian aircraft at Leipzig Airport were not transporting military products. This contradiction requires further clarification from official representatives of German authorities, as the status of the cargo radically changes the political context of what happened.
Current status of the investigation
At the moment, German investigative agencies continue to work on identifying the perpetrators and clients of the attack. The presence of a DNA trace leading to Lithuania is a key piece of evidence, but it does not yet allow the case to be closed. Experts note that even with a genetic profile, identifying a specific person may take time, especially if it involves international databases.
The incident in Leipzig has become a worrying signal for all European aviation logistics. The successful penetration of a drone into the airport zone and the strike on a strategically important cargo aircraft demonstrate the vulnerability of existing protection systems. The authorities of Germany and Ukraine are exchanging information, trying to understand the scale of the threat and prevent similar attacks in the future.
