Germany identifies two men who targeted Ukrainian aircraft in Leipzig, both have links to Russia

German investigators have identified two suspects in the case of a planned attack on a Ukrainian transport aircraft at Leipzig/Halle Airport.

Source: German media outlets Süddeutsche Zeitung, NDR and WDR, as reported by European Pravda

Details: According to information obtained by the outlets, investigators are confident they have identified the logistics coordinator and instructor behind the planned attack in Leipzig. The man, who is of Russian origin and holds a Latvian passport, has links to Russian intelligence.

He apparently entered Germany via Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) at the end of July and then travelled to Leipzig in a hire car. Two days before the foiled drone attack, the suspect left Germany again, flying out via BER.

Investigators also found DNA traces at the scene that led them to a second suspect. Genetic material was found on one of the drones, on the inside of an explosive-filled tin and on an antenna attached to a tree near the airport, apparently to boost the signals of drones controlled via mobile phone.

Comparisons of the DNA traces with European databases produced matches in Lithuania and Finland.

This led law enforcement officers to a Belarusian man who had previously come to the attention of authorities in several countries over other offences. Investigators have now also managed to reconstruct his entry into and departure from Germany.

According to the investigation by Süddeutsche Zeitung, NDR and WDR, the suspect, who also holds a Russian passport, entered Germany on an Italian tourist visa. Official information shows that the document was issued at the Italian Embassy in Minsk at the end of April.

Investigators are sceptical about the chances of bringing the suspects to justice. In the past, for example following the 2015 cyberattack on the German parliament, authorities were unable to arrest the suspected agents because they did not return to Europe.

Meanwhile, experts from Germany's Federal Criminal Police Office believe that more drones may have been involved in the failed attack, which took place about a month ago, than previously thought. Three devices have been found, either intact or in the form of components.

Background:

• On 1 September, Germany directly accused Russia of the hybrid attack at Leipzig airport in early August and announced retaliatory measures, including the closure of the Russian Consulate General in Bonn and the Russian House in Berlin. In connection with this, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul summoned the Russian ambassador. 
• On 4 August, an explosive-laden drone was discovered at Leipzig/Halle Airport near a Ukrainian Antonov cargo aircraft.

Subscribe on Patreon to back our journalism long-term.