Latvian security service: suspect in Leipzig airport drone case has lived in Russia for years

Latvia's State Security Service (VDD) has confirmed it is cooperating with and providing support to German partner agencies investigating suspicions that a Latvian citizen was involved in an attempted sabotage operation at Leipzig airport. According to information available to the VDD, the citizen in question has permanently resided in Russia for several years. Since the investigation in Germany is still ongoing, the agency declined to provide further comment.

What happened in Leipzig

On August 4, an explosive-laden drone was found at Leipzig airport, which plays an important role in military cargo transport. Police used a robot to neutralize explosives on a drone found near a Ukrainian cargo plane. Authorities believe a second drone may have collided with a nearby DHL aircraft. A third drone, also fitted with explosives, was subsequently found.

Germany's assessment and the suspects

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt stated that the attack attempt fits the already known pattern of Russian hybrid operations, and that the German government has concluded Russia is responsible for the hybrid attack in Leipzig on August 4.

The newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung reports that German authorities have identified two suspects - a Latvian citizen and a Russian citizen from Belarus. The man holding a Latvian passport reportedly has ties to Russian intelligence services. He arrived in Germany via Berlin airport in late July and then drove toward Leipzig in a rental car, but left Germany two days before the incident, again flying out through Berlin.