The German authorities have located a suspicious device this Wednesday at Leipzig airport, which would supposedly be a drone equipped with explosives located near a Ukrainian plane, which has forced a complete halt of air operations for several hours.
"Shortly before midnight, an unidentified flying object was spotted near Leipzig airport, which caused the diversion of several aircraft, including a passenger plane, to other airports. An object was also discovered in the vicinity of the south runway, which was initially examined by the Federal Police," the Leipzig Police reported in a brief statement.
To analyze the finding, security services have made use of a robot specialized in explosive deactivation. "Flight operations on the north runway resumed at 1:55 AM, while the south runway remains closed. The state police, in collaboration with the Federal Police, has initiated an investigation into the incident," the police body added.
According to security sources cited by the DPA agency, the drone was located near a Ukrainian plane and carried an explosive device along with a detonator, which supposedly would have a malfunction. Additionally, a NATO spokesperson has also confirmed that the incident has occurred.
Leipzig airport is considered a key point for the transit and shipment of armaments, including remittances linked to the war in Ukraine. Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, reconnaissance flights and sightings of drones over critical infrastructure and military sites have increased in Germany.