Drone carrying explosives found at Leipzig airport in Germany

German police discovered a drone carrying explosives at Leipzig/Halle Airport, prompting a security operation and the removal of a detonator. Authorities are investigating the incident as a potential hybrid threat, noting the airport's strategic importance for military and cargo logistics.
Why it matters
The incident highlights escalating security concerns regarding hybrid warfare and the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to drone-based attacks in Europe.
Image source, Jens Schlueter/Getty Images Image caption, A special robot was sent to remove the detonator from the device
A drone carrying an explosive device has been found at a German airport, police say.
A robot was deployed at Leipzig/Halle Airport after the device was spotted by an employee near Ukrainian cargo planes overnight, according to Saxony police. A second unidentified object also collided with a cargo aircraft near the same airport. It landed in Hanover with minor damage.
Germany's interior minister said the incidents showed a "new level of threat".
German airports are on high alert following several unauthorised drone flights in recent months over military bases, airports, energy terminals, seaports and logistics companies. Police have warned of a potential Russian involvement which Moscow has denied.
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