Drone with explosive device found near Ukrainian plane at German airport

German authorities say a drone carrying an explosive device was discovered on the tarmac near a Ukrainian plane.

For the second time in just over two years, Germany's Leipzig/Halle Airport has narrowly avoided a potential disaster, exposing the vulnerability of Europe's critical infrastructure.

Dobrindt called the incident a "new threat quality" and said it was "professionally" prepared.

"That a drone armed with explosives is at an airport is a new threat scenario."

"a hybrid attack scenario"

"must be very professionally prepared and implemented"

"All this doesn't point to amateur work"

"conceived in such a way, according to what we know at present, precisely to be able to get around drone defense"

"A few months ago, I also made it clear to the public that we need to raise the threat level"

"the assessment we made months ago - that we are facing a high-level threat - is a reality"

Although German officials have not pointed to Russia in this case.

In 2024, an incendiary device ignited at a logistics center at the airport and set fire to a freight container, part of a plot that Western security officials suspect Russian intelligence was behind. The flight it was supposed to take was delayed.

Leipzig/Halle hosts NATO's Strategic Airlift International Solution (SALIS), currently flying almost daily to deliver equipment to NATO battle groups along the eastern flank from Finland to Romania.

Eric Schouten (Dyami Security Intelligence): "Even though an airport or a port is not near the frontline, you're still at risk of spies, espionage and sabotage activity" ... "part of hybrid warfare"; "They only detect - it's not deterrence"; "You cannot just jam or spoof, because aircraft will be affected."

Putin, per AP's May investigation response: "Moscow is not waging a sabotage campaign against Europe" and demanded AP "name one proven fact."