Ukrainian aircraft in Leipzig near which drone was found was loaded with ammunition

German media reports say a Ukrainian freight aircraft near which a drone fitted with explosives was found at Leipzig/Halle airport was loaded with ammunition.

Source: European Pravda, citing German media outlets including WDR, NDR and Süddeutsche Zeitung

Details: A confidential police report said one of the Antonov freight aircraft near which the drone fitted with explosives was found was loaded with ammunition that appeared to have been transported from France to Leipzig shortly beforehand and was likely intended for onward shipment.

Investigators said airport staff spotted the drone hovering above the ground between two Antonov cargo aircraft at around 23:42 in the evening of 28 July.

A law enforcement report said there was then "contact between the drone and an employee". The drone then ended up on the ground.

The sensor system used to protect against drones, which appears to be in place at Leipzig/Halle airport, did not detect the aircraft earlier.

On the evening of 5 August, Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the perpetrators had probably modified the drone in such a way as to deliberately bypass protection systems.

WDR, NDR and Süddeutsche Zeitung reported that investigators had already analysed CCTV footage from the airport.

A review of footage from cameras at the security control centre – the airport's central surveillance and coordination hub – showed that the drone probably entered the airport from the south as early as 19:28 before landing in the parking area.

The video reportedly showed no indication that the drone took off again. Several hours later, however, it appeared to be hovering at low altitude among parked Ukrainian cargo aircraft when it was noticed by an airport employee.

Germany's Ministry of Defence said no Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) military transport operations were taking place at the airport at the time.

Leipzig/Halle airport is generally regarded as an important hub and logistics centre for the military. Official reports indicate that Ukraine has also used the airport as an alternative site for transporting military freight since the start of the full-scale invasion.

Air traffic was temporarily suspended after the suspicious drone was discovered. As a result, a DHL freight aircraft arriving from Marseille and due to land had to climb again.

Internal agency reports said the aircraft struck an object near the airport fence at a speed of about 500 km/h. The object may have been another drone.

The DHL aircraft, which investigators believe was carrying dangerous goods, was able to continue flying and was diverted to Hanover airport. Experts found damage to the front of the aircraft.

Crew members have already been questioned by the State Criminal Police Office of Saxony and the aircraft is due to undergo further forensic examination. In particular, the flight recorder will be analysed.

However, the investigation remains focused primarily on the drone fitted with explosives.

Bomb disposal experts from the State Criminal Police Office of Saxony managed to remove the detonator so that the drone could be examined further. Reports said a package of explosives roughly the size of a fist was attached to the drone. Numerous analyses of the substance indicated that it was probably Semtex, an explosive used for both military and industrial purposes.

Background:

• Media reports earlier said that on the night of 4-5 August, a drone fitted with explosives and a detonator was found near a Ukrainian aircraft at a German airport. Die Zeit reported that the aircraft in question was an Antonov likely belonging to the Ukrainian Air Force.
• NATO said it is aware of a drone discovered at Leipzig/Halle Airport in Germany.
• German police used a bomb disposal robot to recover the drone.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon to help us keep reporting!