Welt: bus driver may have knocked down drone found near Ukrainian aircraft in Leipzig
German newspaper Welt has learned that one theory being investigated in connection with the incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport is that the drone spotted near a Ukrainian aircraft may have been knocked down by a bus driver.
Source: European Pravda, citing Welt
Details: According to one police report, the low-flying drone was knocked down by a bus driver travelling through the airport.
Under a second version of events, the driver discovered the drone already lying on the ground and turned it over.
According to Welt, German security services are treating the incident as a suspected attempted terrorist attack. Federal police classified the object as a possible improvised explosive and incendiary device (IED).
Investigators believe the device failed to explode only because its detonator apparently malfunctioned.
An immediate search for the drone's operators has so far yielded no results. According to the latest findings, investigators have not identified any suspects.
The newspaper also reported that an internal security assessment concludes that targeted sabotage cannot be ruled out at this stage.
Background:
- On the night of 4-5 August, a drone fitted with explosives and a detonator was discovered near a Ukrainian aircraft at a German airport. Die Zeit reported that the aircraft was an Antonov cargo plane, believed to belong to Ukraine's Air Force.
- German authorities have since announced plans to introduce additional security measures at Leipzig/Halle Airport after the explosive-equipped drone was found near Ukrainian cargo aircraft participating in NATO airlift operations.
Your support on Patreon helps us keep the news free and accessible.