An airport in Germany had to shut down its runway due to the discovery of a drone carrying what seemed to be a detonator near a Ukrainian aircraft. The drone, suspected to be an explosive device, was found at Leipzig/Halle Airport late last night. It was located in close proximity to a Ukrainian Antonov cargo plane, leading to the closure of the airport’s southern runway for investigation by explosives disposal experts.
Authorities are currently looking into reports of an unidentified flying object that may be connected to the incident. A DHL cargo plane was compelled to abort its landing at the airport following the runway closure and reportedly encountered an unidentified object approximately 400 meters above the ground, about six kilometers from the airport. The plane sustained damage, which was observed upon its safe landing in Hanover.
In recent weeks, there have been multiple unauthorized drone flights at various locations in Germany, prompting heightened security measures at sites including military bases, seaports, logistics centers, and energy facilities, with airports on high alert.
A bomb disposal team was dispatched to Leipzig/Halle Airport shortly after midnight upon the discovery of the drone. The drone was found to be carrying a mass of explosive material with a detonator attached. Fortunately, the explosive was defective, preventing the bomb from detonating, as reported by Bild.
Initially planned for a remote detonation by the German Federal Police, the drone and its payload will now be secured in a specialized container for further examination to gather potential evidence. NATO investigators are also set to join the probe as four Ukrainian aircraft were reportedly nearby during the drone incident. The airport continues to operate normally for passenger flights as investigations persist, according to German media reports.