German prosecutors investigate explosive-carrying drone found at Leipzig airport

German prosecutors are investigating after a drone carrying an explosive device was discovered in the cargo area of Leipzig/Halle Airport on August 5, 2026.

An airport employee found the drone near an area used by Ukrainian cargo aircraft. Authorities used a bomb-disposal robot to make the device safe, according to reporting by Al Jazeera and The Guardian. Prosecutors said there was no danger to passengers or airport staff, and passenger flights continued.

A separate unidentified flying object struck a DHL aircraft near Leipzig, causing minor damage that was identified after the plane landed in Hanover. Authorities have not said the two incidents were connected.

Specialist prosecutors working on extremism and terrorism prevention have taken over the inquiry. German officials described the discovery as a serious security incident involving critical infrastructure. NATO said it was aware of the case while German authorities continued their investigation.

Some Ukrainian and German political figures called for investigators to examine possible foreign involvement, but authorities had not publicly identified a perpetrator or motive as of August 5. Leipzig/Halle is a major cargo hub and has served as a maintenance base for Ukrainian carrier Antonov since before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.