Germany finds third drone linked to August incident involving Ukrainian aircraft

German investigators have discovered a third malfunctioning drone bearing traces of explosive material near Leipzig/Halle Airport, which is believed to be linked to an incident from early August. The information was reported by several German media outlets, including NDR, WDR and the newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung, as cited by European Pravda.

According to sources, the third drone was found in a field near the airport in the town of Kabelsketal on the evening of August 14 — ten days after the first drone was discovered. The following day, on August 15, investigators reportedly found a substance at the site that, according to preliminary assessments, could be traces of an explosive mixture containing hexogen (RDX). The drone found was reportedly not functional.

A spokesperson for Germany's Federal Prosecutor's Office declined to comment to media.

Background

On August 4, a drone loaded with explosives was discovered at Leipzig/Halle Airport near a Ukrainian Antonov cargo plane that had been used to transport military materiel. Investigators also suspect that a second drone may have collided with a DHL cargo aircraft shortly after the airport was temporarily closed.

It was previously reported that at the scene of the Leipzig incident, German investigators found DNA traces matching evidence collected after an arson attack at a DHL logistics center in Leipzig in July 2024. Authorities suspect possible Russian involvement, though the drone's origin has not yet been established.

Within Germany's governing coalition, discussions are underway regarding possible response measures against Russia following the drone incident at Leipzig Airport, including the potential closure of the Russian state cultural center in Berlin, known as the "Russian House."