Drone Carrying Explosives Near An-124 Ruslan in Germany Belonged to Russian Intelligence Service — U.S. Assessment

The United States has assessed that the drone discovered on the night of August 5 at Leipzig/Halle Airport in Germany belonged to the Russian intelligence service.

This was reported by a U.S. defense official in Europe in comments to CNN.

The drone was equipped with explosives and was found by an airport employee in a secure cargo flight zone.

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt suggested a possible link between the incident and foreign states, after which the German National Security Council, chaired by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, convened on August 7.

As a reminder, the Antonov Airlines An-124 Ruslan transport aircraft, next to which the attack drone was discovered, was loaded with ammunition.

The cargo, consisting of military equipment and ammunition, arrived in Germany from France and was being prepared for onward transport.

At the same time, during a closed-door meeting with members of the Bundestag, the German Federal Ministry of the Interior denied reports that ammunition was on board.

Leipzig/Halle Airport is a major logistics hub that is regularly used for military transport on behalf of NATO countries.

Ukrainian An-124 Ruslan cargo planes are regularly involved in transporting defense cargo as part of international logistics programs.

The incident occurred when airport staff noticed the drone hovering between two Ukrainian aircraft.

It was flying at low altitude in the immediate vicinity of the aircraft parking area, after which it made contact with one of the ground crew members, and the drone fell to the ground.

Special electronic countermeasure and drone detection systems installed on the airport grounds were unable to detect the aerial target in time.