Jennifer Griffin reports on the launch of a Russian drone campaign across Europe. The campaign focuses on surveilling military sites and testing NATO’s air defenses. A report from the International Institute for Strategic Studies reveals the presence of 144 suspected drones near sensitive sites in Germany, France, and the UK.
A recent incident at Germany’s Leipzig/Halle Airport highlighted the dangers. A drone carrying explosives was discovered near a Ukrainian plane late Tuesday, prompting officials to warn of ‘a new quality of danger.’ The discovery led to a temporary shutdown of both runways at the freight hub and forced several flights to redirect, according to the Associated Press.
Shortly before midnight, another flying object appeared nearby. Multiple flights, including a passenger plane, had to divert to other airports. German police responded swiftly, launching an investigation into the two incidents. They reported that an airport worker found the first explosive drone near the south runway with ‘an unknown explosive device.’ An explosives-disposal robot examined the device before authorities removed its detonator.
The plane involved bore the colors of the Ukrainian flag and displayed the slogan ‘Be Brave Like Kherson,’ honoring the southern Ukrainian region, as reported by Deutsche Welle. In another incident, an unidentified flying object collided with a cargo aircraft that had aborted its landing due to the runway closure. The aircraft was diverted to Hannover Airport, where minor damage was discovered, according to the Associated Press.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt called this a significant escalation. He stated that drone threats are familiar, but having an explosives-armed drone at an airport presents a new threat scenario. Dobrindt described it as a ‘hybrid attack scenario’ and noted that investigations are ongoing regarding the type of explosives, the drone’s origin, and the responsible parties.
Dobrindt emphasized the assessment made months ago, which highlighted a high level of danger, was warranted. In response to such threats, he opened Germany’s Joint Centre for Countering Hybrid Threats in June. This center unites federal and state security agencies to address challenges like espionage, sabotage, and disinformation.
The Leipzig/Halle Airport, a significant European cargo hub, hosts based Ukrainian Antonov transport aircraft. NATO acknowledged awareness of the incidents but referred queries to German authorities. Ukraine’s ambassador to Germany, Oleksii Makeiev, speculated Russia’s involvement, asking, ‘Who else could it be but Russia?’ in a statement to Welt TV.
In 2024, an incendiary device ignited at a logistics center within Leipzig/Halle Airport, causing a fire in a freight container. Western security officials suspect this was part of a Russian intelligence sabotage operation.