German investigators identify suspects behind Leipzig airport drone attack
German security authorities say they have identified with high probability a Belarusian citizen and a Russian national linked to the GRU as the main suspects in August's drone attack on Leipzig-Halle airport, with investigators coordinating across several Baltic states including Latvia.
German security authorities have identified, with a high degree of probability, two main suspects behind the August 4 drone attack on Leipzig-Halle airport: a Belarusian citizen and a Russian national connected to Russia's military intelligence service, GRU. The findings come from confidential investigative documents reviewed by Welt, part of the same Axel Springer network as Politico, based on interviews with senior officials from multiple German federal and state agencies.
Several German agencies are involved in the investigation. Due to suspected links with other sabotage incidents across Europe, German authorities are coordinating with investigators in Lithuania, Poland, Latvia and Finland, and are also in contact with the FBI in the United States.
The attack
On the evening of August 4, an explosive-laden drone was found near a Ukrainian Antonov cargo plane and was safely defused. Debris from two additional drones was discovered nearby. Investigators believe roughly 1.8 kilograms of the explosive Semtex were intended for use across all three drones. Had the charge detonated, officials say it would have caused a massive explosion, destroying parts of the airport, which had an aircraft fueled with around 25,000 liters of jet fuel nearby. The explosion was averted only because a detonator broke off.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt publicly held Russia responsible for the attack on September 1. Russia has denied involvement.
Suspects' movements
The Russian suspect entered Germany via Turkey through Berlin-Brandenburg airport, later flew to Serbia, and is now believed to be back in Russia. Authorities were already aware of his GRU ties upon entry but did not place him under surveillance due to limited resources. The Belarusian suspect entered the Schengen area via Latvia on July 28, about a week before the attack. He is believed to be a hired "disposable agent," with a prior criminal record in Finland and Lithuania and a suspected link to a 2024 fire at a store in Poland.
Investigators believe the explosives were transported into Germany via Bulgaria and Serbia, hidden in truck compartments, then cached at several locations near Leipzig before the attack.
