German airport drone-bomb: Could Russia be involved?

As Germany investigates how a drone loaded with explosives reached a runway at Leipzig airport, there is renewed talk in Europe of hybrid war.

The interior minister warned of a "new level of danger" from an attack that "may involve foreign powers."

"There is no proof at this stage to link the flying bomb directly to Russia, which denies any role. But as well as the means and the motive, Moscow does have form."

"If Russia was behind this, its aim was more likely to sow fear."

Russia expert Andrei Soldatov said it "makes sense" to suspect Moscow; the attack sends a message — "Guys, we can do that. Remember".

John Lough (NEST Centre) said: "This is Russian interference." Such activity will "increase quite sharply over the coming months."

A NATO official said: "We are aware of the incident, which the German authorities continue to investigate."

Antonov Airlines spokeswoman said: "We are not making any such assumptions... We don't know what this drone was or why it was there."

Explosives professor Jackie Akhavan said: "just a blast wave probably would just have dented it."

Charged suspect Vladyslav D. said: "Inside were drone components: small plastic propellers, I think four pieces."

A previous Russian-backed plot involving Leipzig airport could provide clues. In 2024, a parcel containing a sophisticated incendiary device caught fire at the airport's DHL hub. Similar packages then ignited in the UK and Poland, causing extensive damage. Prosecutors allege that some of the items were brought into the EU from the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. Investigators had also seized RDX explosives meant for 'other terrorist attacks'; the amount was significant: equivalent to 6kg of TNT.