Flight operations at Germany's Leipzig/Halle Airport were temporarily suspended overnight on August 5 after authorities discovered what officials described as a modified drone near a Ukrainian Antonov Airlines An-124 cargo aircraft.
According to German media reports citing police sources, the device contained an unknown substance and was fitted with a detonator. Bomb disposal specialists responded to the scene, deploying a robot before carrying out a controlled explosion to neutralize the threat.
The Leipzig Police Directorate confirmed that a "security-related incident" had occurred at the airport during the night, forcing a temporary halt to flight operations while authorities secured the area and launched an investigation.
Leipzig/Halle Airport has served as an operational base for Ukraine's Antonov Airlines since shortly after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. German media reported that four Antonov cargo aircraft were present at the airport at the time of the incident.
German investigators have not identified those responsible for placing the device, and efforts to determine who operated the drone are ongoing.
