German investigators link Leipzig airport drone attack to Russian military intelligence

German newspaper Welt am Sonntag has gained access over recent weeks to previously secret investigation materials concerning the August 4 drone attack on Leipzig/Halle airport, Ukrainska Pravda reports, citing Yevropeiska Pravda. The outlet has identified two main suspects — a Belarusian national and a Russian national.

German security services believe the Russian national was responsible for planning and logistics of the attack and consider him linked to Russian military intelligence. This evidence formed the basis for German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt to jointly accuse Russia of carrying out the attack at a press conference a week and a half ago. Russia denies any involvement.

How the attack unfolded

On the evening of the attack, an explosive drone was found and defused near a Ukrainian cargo aircraft. Investigators found the remains of two more drones near the airport. Two of the three drones used were destroyed during takeoff for reasons that remain unclear. The third reached the Antonov aircraft but failed to explode after its detonator broke off. The explosive device was concealed inside a vegetable can.

According to investigators, roughly 1.8 kilograms of Semtex explosive were intended for use. The targeted Antonov aircraft was carrying approximately 25,000 liters of kerosene, and investigators believe a successful detonation would have caused a powerful explosion, destroying part of the airport.

Tracing the suspect

Forensic experts found glove fragments with DNA traces on an antenna structure believed to have been used to control the drone. That DNA had previously been registered in Finland and Lithuania, where the suspect has convictions for minor offenses, including theft in Finland. Polish authorities also link him to a fire at a building materials store in Łódź in summer 2024, which prosecutors there treat as sabotage traced back to Russia.

Investigators say the Russian suspect entered Germany via Turkey through Berlin Brandenburg Airport and later departed for Serbia from the same airport; he is now believed to be in Russia. Investigators reportedly knew of his ties to Russian military intelligence at the time of his entry but did not place him under surveillance afterward.

Authorities believe the explosives used in the attack likely entered Germany via Bulgaria and Serbia, transported in hidden compartments of trucks and later stashed in underground hiding places near the airport, some of which were found by police. Germany's interior minister is reportedly planning a package of measures covering drone and sabotage protection for critical infrastructure, cyberattack defense, and detection of spies and potential terrorists.