Drone Bomb Found Near Ukrainian Cargo Plane Raises Fears Of Russian Sabotage

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief

LEIPZIG/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – German authorities were investigating Friday whether a suspected drone bomb discovered near a Ukrainian cargo aircraft at Leipzig Airport was part of a foreign sabotage operation, amid growing concerns over Russia’s hybrid warfare campaign in Europe.

The explosive-laden drone was found near a Ukrainian Antonov cargo plane carrying military ammunition at the airport, a major NATO and German military logistics hub, according to a classified police report cited by German media.

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said only an apparently damaged detonator prevented the device from exploding near the aircraft, averting what officials described as a potential catastrophe with multiple casualties.

Authorities said they are treating the incident as part of a “professional hybrid threat scenario” involving possible foreign state actors, although they stopped short of publicly blaming Russia.

RUSSIA SABOTAGE CONCERNS GROW

The airport’s role as a logistics center for military supplies to Ukraine has fueled suspicions. Germany and other European countries have repeatedly accused Russia of carrying out sabotage and other hybrid attacks since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Roderich Kiesewetter, a member of Germany’s parliamentary intelligence committee, said he believed the attempted drone attack amounted to “an attempted act of terrorism” orchestrated by Russia.

Police said the drone had apparently remained undetected for several hours despite security systems protecting the airport, which is considered critical national infrastructure.

Air traffic was temporarily suspended after the discovery, forcing a DHL cargo aircraft approaching from Marseille to abort its landing. The aircraft later collided with what investigators believe may have been a second drone before making an emergency landing in Hanover with minor damage.

LEIPZIG AIRPORT SECURITY PROBE

Investigators said the first drone carried an explosive charge believed to contain semtex, while German newspaper Bild reported the second drone was equipped with a camera, apparently to record the attack.

Ukraine has used Leipzig Airport as an alternative European hub for transporting military supplies since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

The incident follows a series of suspected sabotage operations across Europe. In 2024, an incendiary device exploded at Leipzig’s DHL logistics center shortly before being loaded onto an aircraft, while similar parcels were intercepted in Britain and Poland.

A subsequent multinational investigation identified 22 suspects in Lithuania and Poland who were allegedly linked to Russian intelligence services.

UKRAINE WAR TENSIONS ESCALATE

The latest incident came as Ukraine warned that Russia is expanding military cooperation with North Korea while continuing missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities.

German authorities have not identified those responsible for the Leipzig incident, but officials say the case underscores growing security concerns over suspected hybrid attacks targeting European infrastructure linked to support for Ukraine.

The NATO military alliance has not commented specifically on the Leipzig incident. However, the alliance has repeatedly warned that Russia and its proxies are stepping up hybrid attacks against member states, including acts of sabotage, cyberattacks, drone incursions, and disinformation campaigns targeting critical infrastructure.

It says it is strengthening intelligence sharing and defenses while seeking to deter further escalation without provoking a wider military conflict.

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