Third Drone and Suspected Explosive Found Near Leipzig Airport

German investigators have reportedly discovered a third drone and a substance suspected to be a military explosive near Leipzig airport, adding another element to an attempted attack on the cargo and military logistics hub. Local media said the drone was found on 14 August in a field in Kabelsketal, a municipality directly west of the airport. Federal criminal police forensic technicians also found about 50 grams of material whose initial characteristics suggested it could be hexogen, a highly explosive substance. The material had not detonated. The discovery came 10 days after an explosive-equipped drone was found near a Ukrainian Antonov cargo aircraft used to transport military supplies. Investigators believe that drone may have been intended to land on the aircraft’s wings. The plane was carrying kerosene, but the device did not explode. A second drone was reportedly involved shortly afterward. Investigators said it may have collided with a DHL cargo aircraft, forcing the plane to abandon its landing and divert to Marseille. An inspection found damage to the aircraft’s tail, although the drone itself has not been located. Investigators believe it may have entered the engines and been destroyed. Media reports also described the discovery of an antenna attached to a tree in nearby Kursdorf, along with other electronic components that may have been used to control the drones. Investigators found a burned patch and charred metal fragments near a location where witnesses reported hearing a loud bang. The office of Germany’s prosecutor general, which is leading the investigation, declined to comment, according to the report. Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the government would soon provide information about whom it believed was responsible. He said those behind the incident would face consequences, but did not name a suspect. Intelligence sources cited by NDR, WDR and Süddeutsche Zeitung suspect Russian intelligence was involved. Moscow has denied that allegation, and the German government has not publicly settled on a position regarding Russia’s responsibility. The latest investigators’ assessment, as reported by the German media, was that the perpetrators may have intended a larger attack than previously known. German officials said detonations could have caused a catastrophe.