Germany links Leipzig airport drone attack attempt to Russian military intelligence
German security investigators probing an attempted drone attack on Leipzig airport have traced leads to Russia's GRU military intelligence agency. The main suspect, a Russian national, is believed to have already returned to Russia.
German weekly "Welt am Sonntag" reports that the investigation into an attempted drone attack on Leipzig airport has led security services to Russia's General Staff Main Directorate, known as the GRU. Confidential investigation materials reportedly name a suspected GRU employee as responsible for organizing the operation's logistics.
The suspects
According to security sources cited by the outlet, the suspects are a Russian identified as Oleg L. and a Belarusian identified as Andrei K. Oleg L., who investigators link to the GRU, is believed to have been responsible for preparing and coordinating the logistics. He reportedly entered Germany via Turkey and later left the country via Berlin Brandenburg Airport, heading toward Serbia. The paper notes that German investigators already knew of his GRU ties at the time he entered the country, but surveillance was not initiated afterward — meaning he is now most likely back in Russia.
Investigators reportedly identified the suspect partly through DNA traces found on the construction of a drone control antenna. The investigation also believes the explosives used in Leipzig may have reached Germany via Bulgaria and Serbia, possibly transported hidden inside truck structures and later buried in concealed caches.
Earlier findings
In August, the newspaper "Bild" reported DNA traces in the case that matched evidence previously linked to the arson of a DHL logistics center in Leipzig in July 2024. In early September, "Süddeutsche Zeitung" reported that two suspects had been identified — a Latvian citizen of Russian origin and a Russian citizen from Belarus — which the paper said supports the German government's assertion that Russia is behind the incident.
As previously reported, an explosive-laden drone was discovered at Leipzig airport, which plays a significant role in military transport, on August 4, found near a Ukrainian cargo aircraft. Police used a robot to neutralize the explosives. A second drone is believed to have collided with a nearby DHL aircraft, and a third drone, also fitted with explosives, has since been found.
