KABELSKETAL— German investigators have discovered a third drone and around 50 grams of suspected military-grade explosive near Leipzig/Halle Airport (LEJ), adding a significant new development to an attempted attack investigated earlier this month.
The drone was found on August 14 in a field in Kabelsketal, a municipality directly bordering the western side of the airport.
The discovery came 10 days after a drone carrying an explosive device was found near a Ukrainian Antonov Airlines (ADB) cargo aircraft at the airport.
The airport serves as an important cargo and military logistics hub for NATO and Ukraine, making the incident a major aviation security concern.
Third Drone Found in Germany
Forensic specialists from Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office reportedly found traces of a substance that initial examinations indicated could be hexogen, a powerful military explosive also known as RDX or T4.
Investigators believe the device did not detonate, while the drone itself may have been damaged or rendered unusable.
The latest discovery has expanded the investigation beyond the two aircraft-related incidents reported earlier in August.
According to German media reports cited by The Guardian, investigators now believe that multiple drones may have been involved in a coordinated operation targeting the airport or aircraft associated with military logistics.
Earlier Drone Attack
The original incident occurred during the night of August 4-5, when airport personnel discovered an explosive-laden drone near a Ukrainian Antonov cargo aircraft.
German investigators believe the aircraft may have been the intended target, while the explosive device failed to detonate because of a problem with its ignition system.
A second drone or unidentified flying object was also reported around 20 minutes after the first discovery.
Investigators believe it may have collided with a DHL cargo aircraft during its approach, forcing the aircraft to abandon its landing and divert, while later inspections reportedly identified damage around its tail section.
The second drone has not been recovered. Investigators have considered the possibility that the object entered an aircraft engine following the collision and was destroyed, leaving little recoverable evidence.
Investigation Intensifies into Drone
Investigators have also uncovered other suspicious components around Leipzig/Halle Airport. These include an antenna attached to a tree in nearby Kursdorf, which authorities suspect could have been used as a signal relay or control component for the drones.
Authorities also found a burned area and charred metal fragments near a location where witnesses reported hearing a loud bang. Investigators are examining whether these findings are connected to the wider drone operation.
Germany has not officially identified who was behind the attempted attack. However, German media reports citing security sources have pointed to possible Russian intelligence involvement, while Moscow has denied responsibility.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said the government is working with security authorities and intends to provide information on who it believes was responsible.
The discovery of a third drone and suspected military explosive has therefore raised concerns that the August incident was more extensive than initially understood.
Investigators are now seeking to establish how the drones were operated, whether they formed part of a single operation, and what target the suspected attackers ultimately intended to strike.
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