The German government is imminently expected to announce its findings regarding who it believes was responsible for a suspected drone attack on a Ukrainian cargo plane earlier in August. Chancellor Friedrich Merz indicated on Sunday that investigations are nearing completion and a federal government response has been broadly agreed upon.
The incident on 4 August at Leipzig/Halle airport involved the discovery of a drone containing explosives near a Ukrainian Antonov cargo aircraft, which was transporting military supplies. A second drone reportedly collided with a DHL cargo plane, and a third drone was later found in a field near the airport, containing residues that initial assessments suggested could be hexogen.
Mr Merz stated that the government's response would be communicated closely with Berlin's European Union and Nato partners. Media reports, citing sources, have speculated that the government may blame Russia for the attack and that retaliatory measures could include new sanctions and actions against Russia's shadow fleet.