German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has issued a warning that those responsible for drone attacks and other hostile acts against Germany, including a recent incident at Leipzig Airport, would "pay a price". Speaking on 25 August, Merz stated that the incident demonstrated Germany is "facing a very real threat" and is increasingly becoming a target.
On 4 August, a drone carrying an explosive device was discovered at Leipzig/Halle Airport in eastern Germany, near Ukrainian cargo planes. The device reportedly failed to explode due to an apparently faulty detonator. Police defused the explosives and believe a second drone may have collided with a cargo aircraft nearby. Investigators have since found a third drone near the airport, and traces of the military explosive hexogen were reportedly found nearby.
Leipzig/Halle Airport is used by the German military and Nato allies for transporting military goods, and also serves as a base for Ukraine's Antonov Airlines. Security experts have speculated that Russia may have been responsible for the incident, though the German government has made no direct accusations and Moscow has denied involvement. Police have warned that recent unauthorised drone flights over sensitive sites in Germany, including military bases and airports, could have been organised by Russian agents.
Merz said the government is working closely with security authorities on the case and will release more details soon. He also stated that Germany is initiating a range of measures to better protect itself, including stronger drone defences and plans to empower security services to strike back against attackers at home and abroad, potentially by hacking computer servers.