Kathmandu— German authorities narrowly averted a potential catastrophe when they discovered a drone equipped with explosives near a Ukrainian cargo plane at Leipzig airport on Tuesday. The drone, which had been modified to evade detection systems, was found hovering between two Antonov Airlines An-124 freighters loaded with military ammunition. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt stated that only a malfunctioning detonator prevented the device from exploding.

Investigation and Suspicion

The incident has raised concerns about potential state-sponsored sabotage, particularly targeting Leipzig airport's role as a NATO and German military logistics hub. Investigators are treating the event as part of a “professional hybrid threat scenario,” with a focus on foreign powers as likely perpetrators. Roderich Kiesewetter, a member of Germany’s intelligence committee, directly blamed Russia for orchestrating the attack.

Airport Operations and Security

The discovery led to the suspension of air traffic at Leipzig airport temporarily. A DHL cargo plane on approach was forced to divert after colliding with what is believed to be a second drone, leading to an emergency landing in Hanover. The airport resumed normal operations by Thursday without additional security measures reported.

Previous Incidents and Context

Leipzig airport has faced similar threats before. In July 2024, a firebomb sent via DHL exploded at the facility, with two more packages intercepted in Poland and the UK. A pan-European investigation identified suspects linked to Russian intelligence. The latest incident underscores the heightened security risks associated with military logistics hubs during ongoing geopolitical tensions.

(With inputs from The Guardian)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.