# Drone Attack Targets Ukrainian Cargo Plane at German Airport Explosive-laden drone detected at Leipzig Airport. - **Source:** [Ars Technica - All content](https://brifing.si/source/b728770c-8dda-457a-8986-84879c9fc42c) - **Published:** 2026-08-06 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/fb004494-2589-4883-8952-7ac57c7fa5a2 ## Drone Attack Detected German police detected a drone carrying explosives near Ukrainian An-124 cargo planes at Leipzig Airport. The drone was spotted by airport staff shortly before midnight. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt stated the drone had been modified to evade the airport's defense systems. ## Explosive-Laden Drone The drone was found carrying a package believed to contain the plastic explosive Semtex. Dobrindt explained that a failed detonator prevented the explosion. Police used a bomb disposal robot to neutralize the device and conducted a controlled explosion. ## Airport Shutdown The incident forced Leipzig/Halle Airport to shut down for several hours, diverting 19 flights. A DHL-operated Boeing 757 had to abort its landing approach and was redirected to another airport. ## Suspicion of a Second Drone As the DHL plane climbed, it collided with another object midair and landed at Hanover Airport with minor damage. German authorities are investigating whether the object was a second drone. ## Terror Attack Investigation German officials have not named a suspect but launched a counterterrorism investigation. Dobrindt described the incident as a 'hybrid threat scenario' and suggested foreign powers might be involved. ## Allegations of Russian Involvement German lawmaker Roderich Kiesewetter attributed the attack to Russia. Pro-Kremlin propagandist Alexander Sosnowski implied in a Telegram video that Russia was behind the attack and expressed disappointment at its failure. ## Drone Threat in Europe This incident is the latest in a series of drone sightings at European airports, military bases, and energy facilities since 2024. Munich Airport was closed twice in May due to suspected drone activity. Northern and Eastern Europe face an increasing drone threat. ## Europe's Drone Defense Gap The European Drone Defense Initiative has yet to take concrete steps. Countries like Poland are developing their own national drone defense systems. Germany has provided $118 billion in support to Ukraine since 2022 and initiated joint drone production projects. ## Sources covering this story - https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/08/germany-disarms-explosive-drone-found-at-airport-hunts-possible-second-drone/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._