Germany has accused Russia of being responsible for a drone carrying explosives that was discovered within the cargo area of Leipzig Airport last month, according to media reports.
The Saxony State had confirmed that an airport employee discovered a drone equipped with an unknown explosive device during the night of 4-5 August.
The detonator was removed and a controlled explosion was also carried out by police.
A suspected second unidentified flying object later collided with a DHL freighter, while a third drone was reportedly found near the airport 10 days later.
Germany’s interior minister Alexander Dobrindt said at a press conference on 1 September that findings of investigative work by German and European authorities “clearly point to Russian involvement”, reported Germany-based tagesschau.
The German government believes Germany has been and will be the target of further such attacks by Russia, federal foreign minister Johann Wadephul added.
Additionally the Associated Press reported that Dobrindt said authorities found elements such as the drone configuration, components, explosives and detonator that are “known to us from other Russian hybrid operations and its war against Ukraine.”
He said the device pointed to “a high degree of technical expertise” and painstaking planning, but carrying out the plan appears to have been left to “low-level” agents.
““Taken together, the police investigations, the pattern and intelligence findings prove a Russian responsibility for the attempted attack at Leipzig airport,” he said.
The German government has ordered the closure of the Russian consulate general in Bonn on 18 September.
