German investigators reportedly link Leipzig airport attack to Russian military intelligence

German security agencies can now identify with a high degree of probability two suspects following the drone attack on Leipzig/Halle Airport, with one of them linked to Russian military intelligence.

Source: European Pravda, citing German media outlet Welt am Sonntag

Details: Welt am Sonntag gained access in recent weeks to classified, previously unknown investigation materials and spoke to senior security officials.

The editorial team knows the suspects' full names, as well as details of their entry into Germany and departure from the country. This evidence formed the basis for Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt to accuse Russia of carrying out the attack at a joint press conference a week and a half ago. Russia has denied any involvement.

Leipzig/Halle Airport was attacked with an explosive drone on the evening of 4 August. The device was found near a Ukrainian transport aircraft and defused. Investigators found the remains of two more drones near the airport. Security sources said the two main suspects are Belarusian citizen Andrei Ka. and Russian citizen Oleg Le. German security services believe Le. was responsible for planning and logistics for the attack. He is believed to have links to Russian military intelligence.

Investigators say Le. entered Germany via Türkiye through Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER). He later left through the same airport for Serbia. Le. is now in Russia. Welt am Sonntag reported that investigators already knew when he arrived that the Russian citizen is linked to Russia's military intelligence. However, he was not placed under surveillance after entering Germany.

Two of the three drones used in the attack were reportedly destroyed during take-off. The reason for this remains unclear. The third drone reached the Antonov aircraft but failed to explode. Investigators say the plan was to use a total of around 1.8 kg of Semtex explosive. The Antonov aircraft targeted in the attack was carrying about 25,000 litres of kerosene. Investigators believe that had the explosive charge detonated, it would have caused a powerful blast and destroyed part of the airport.

Previously unreleased surveillance footage obtained by Welt am Sonntag shows a drone lying directly next to the Antonov aircraft. Investigators say the explosive device had been hidden in a vegetable tin. The explosion was avoided because the detonator broke off.

The outlet's investigation reveals how investigators tracked down the suspect. Forensic experts found fragments of a glove with traces of DNA on the structure of an antenna which law enforcement officials believe was used to control the drone. These DNA traces had previously been registered in Finland and Lithuania, where Ka. has convictions for ordinary criminal offences. In Finland, he has also been charged with theft, among other offences.

Polish authorities have also linked Ka. to a fire at a DIY store in the city of Łódź, Poland, in the summer of 2024, which prosecutors in Łódź are also treating as sabotage. Polish investigators say the trail in that case also leads to Russia. Ka.'s emergence in connection with the Leipzig attack is seen as further evidence of Russian supervision.

The authorities believe the explosives used in the Leipzig attack probably entered Germany via Bulgaria and Serbia. Investigators believe they were transported in hidden compartments in lorries and later concealed in underground caches. Police found several potential hiding places near Leipzig airport after analysing data from a rented car used by the suspects.

Background:

• It was reported earlier that German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt is planning a package of measures covering protection against drones and sabotage targeting critical infrastructure and cyberattacks, as well as the detection of spies and potential terrorists.
• On 1 September, Germany directly accused Russia of a hybrid attack at Leipzig airport in early August and announced countermeasures.

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