Russia’s shadow fleet launches drone campaign across Europe
Jennifer Griffin reports a concerning development unfolding across Europe: a surge in Russian drone activity. These actions are part of a broader campaign to scrutinize military installations and probe NATO’s air defenses. A detailed report from the International Institute for Strategic Studies identifies 144 drone sightings in proximity to critical sites within Germany, France, and the UK.
A significant security alert was triggered on Tuesday night when a drone laden with explosives was discovered near a Ukrainian aircraft at Leipzig/Halle Airport in Germany. Authorities emphasized on Wednesday that this incident signifies “a new quality of danger,” raising alarm bells across security agencies.
The unexpected discovery led to a temporary closure of both runways at this key European freight hub. As a result, numerous flights had to be rerouted to alternate airports, according to a report by The Associated Press.
In a related event, another aerial object was detected in the vicinity shortly before midnight. This incident necessitated further flight diversions, affecting even one passenger aircraft, which were redirected for safety.
An airport employee discovered the initial drone near the southern runway of the airport, equipped with “an unknown explosive device,” according to police reports. (Hendrik Schmidt/DPA via AP)
German police launched a large response and opened an investigation into the two incidents.
Police said an airport worker found the first explosive drone near the airport’s south runway with “an unknown explosive device.”
An explosives disposal robot was deployed to examine the device before authorities removed its detonator.
The plane, bearing the blue and yellow colors of the Ukrainian flag, displayed the English-language slogan, “Be Brave Like Kherson,” a tribute to the southern Ukrainian region, Deutsche Welle reported.
In the second incident, an unidentified flying object collided with a cargo aircraft that had aborted its landing at Leipzig/Halle Airport because of the runway closure.
The plane bore the colors of the Ukrainian flag. (Hendrik Schmidt/DPA via AP)
The aircraft diverted to Hannover Airport, about 125 miles north-west of Leipzig, where officials found minor damage, according to The Associated Press.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the discovery of the first drone marked a significant escalation.
“Drone sightings, drone threats, including in a hybrid context, are something we know from the past,” he said. “That a drone armed with explosives is at an airport is a new threat scenario.”
Dobrindt also described the incident as “a hybrid attack scenario.”
He said questions about the type of explosives used, the drone’s origin and who was responsible remained under investigation.
“All the speculation that is currently going on about the explosives, the construction, the question of the drone, the origin and, of course, who is behind it, is now part of the investigation,” Dobrindt said.
“What is happening now also shows that the assessment made months ago — that we are dealing with a high level of danger — was justified.”
In June, Dobrindt opened Germany’s Joint Centre for Countering Hybrid Threats, which brings together federal and state security agencies to address threats including espionage, sabotage and disinformation.
A drone carrying explosives was found at Germany’s Leipzig/Halle Airport Tuesday night next to a Ukrainian plane, and officials warned the incident represented “a new quality of danger.” (Hendrik Schmidt/DPA via AP)
Leipzig/Halle Airport is a major European cargo hub, and Ukrainian Antonov transport aircraft are based there.
NATO said it was aware of the incidents but referred questions to German authorities.
Ukraine’s ambassador to Germany, Oleksii Makeiev, suggested Moscow may have been behind the incident, telling Welt TV Wednesday, “Who else could it be but Russia?” according to reports.
In 2024, an incendiary device ignited at a logistics center at Leipzig/Halle Airport, setting fire to a freight container in an incident Western security officials suspect was part of a Russian intelligence sabotage operation.