Berlin, August 30 – The German government is expected to soon reveal its findings regarding a drone attack at Leipzig/Halle airport on August 4th, where an explosive-laden drone was discovered near Ukrainian cargo planes. Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) stated on Thursday that investigations are ‘relatively far along’ and an appropriate reaction will follow.
Hybrid Threat: Germany Suspects Moscow Behind Drone Incident
Reports from Springer-Verlag media outlets, including ‘Welt am Sonntag,’ ‘Politico,’ and ‘Bild,’ citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter, suggest the government believes Russia is responsible. A government spokesperson, when asked about these reports, said, ‘The federal government does not engage in speculation. Only the official attribution, which the federal government will make at its discretion and after weighing all investigation results, is relevant.’
These reports indicate that the government is preparing a comprehensive package of measures against Moscow. Merz had previously stated in a TV interview that the perpetrator would be ‘finally determined in the coming days, and then there will be a corresponding reaction very soon.’ During a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, he emphasized that perpetrators of hybrid attacks would ‘pay for it.’
Severe Incident: More Than Diplomat Expulsion Expected
Government sources suggest that in such a serious case, merely expelling one or two diplomats would not suffice. Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) explained that the government intends to first gather proof, then carefully consider the consequences, and immediately implement them.
In addition to expelling diplomats, summoning the ambassador of the country from which an attempted attack was orchestrated would also be expected. Assassinations or attacks attributed to foreign states by German justice are rare in Germany.
The ‘Tiergarten murder’ in 2019 caused significant diplomatic tensions, leading Germany to expel two Russian diplomats. The convicted perpetrator was released in 2024 as part of a prisoner exchange between Russia, the USA, Germany, and other countries, and was personally welcomed by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the airport.
In 1992, an attack on Kurdish exile politicians occurred at the ‘Mykonos’ restaurant in Berlin. The Berlin Regional Court determined that the assassination was carried out on behalf of the Iranian secret service.
In 1986, an attack on the ‘La Belle’ disco, popular with US soldiers, took place in West Berlin. Investigations revealed that the attack was orchestrated by the Libyan secret service.
NATO Consultations and Disrupting the Russian Shadow Fleet
Speculation has been rife in recent days about potential consequences beyond diplomacy, such as whether Germany might invoke Article 4 of the NATO treaty. This article provides for consultations among allies if a NATO state feels threatened externally.
If a Russian state actor is identified as the mastermind, it would also be conceivable to significantly disrupt the so-called Russian shadow fleet. This fleet consists of tankers and cargo ships used by Russia to circumvent sanctions, for example, in oil transport. It is also increasingly associated with espionage and sabotage acts.
The Green party, in particular, has repeatedly called for the closure of the Russian Cultural Institute in Berlin, also known as the Russian House.
Serious Attack on Infrastructure
The explosive-laden drone was discovered on the evening of August 4th in the security area of the airport, between Ukrainian cargo planes. The Federal Prosecutor’s Office described it as a ‘serious attack on Germany’s transport and logistics infrastructure.’ Investigations are underway on suspicion of attempted causation of an explosive detonation and dangerous interference with air traffic.
Both after the discovery of the explosive drone and in connection with a weapons cache found in a forest near Berlin in 2025, Dobrindt stated that the involvement of ‘foreign powers’ could not be ruled out. The Federal Prosecutor General is investigating a suspect in connection with the weapons cache on suspicion of intelligence agency activity and preparing a serious act of violence endangering the state. In other words, it is suspected that two pistols with ammunition were deposited there for possible assassinations.
The suspect is in pre-trial detention in Romania. Romanian media report that the young Ukrainian is also suspected of having deposited two packages with incendiary devices at a courier service in Romania, on behalf of Russia, together with an accomplice.
Near-Miss in Summer 2024
In July 2024, an air freight package ignited at the DHL logistics center at Leipzig/Halle airport. Security circles assume that the package was placed on behalf of Russia. Germany narrowly avoided a plane crash at that time.
Since the beginning of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine in February 2022, German security authorities have observed an increase in Moscow-orchestrated cyberattacks and other acts of sabotage. Espionage, disinformation campaigns, and other attempts at influence are also more frequently observed.
Source: dpa-infocom, dpa:260830-930-604596/1, Radio Westfalica
