Symbolic imageDrones sighted over German military base after Leipzig airport incident
Drones were seen over a German military base days after an explosives-laden drone was stopped at Leipzig/Halle airport. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt calls Germany a daily target of hybrid warfare.
Reuters and Bloomberg reported the sightings on Saturday; Reuters put them two days after the suspected attack. At Leipzig/Halle, an employee brought down a drone fitted with explosives and a detonator late on Tuesday evening near Ukrainian transport aircraft, FAZ reported, and a plane taking off shortly after collided with an unknown smaller object, possibly a second drone. Federal prosecutors are investigating suspected attempted causing of an explosion and dangerous interference with air traffic.
US agencies point to Moscow
US media report that American security agencies assume Russia is behind the attempted attack: the Wall Street Journal, citing officials familiar with intelligence reporting, called the drone probably Russian government property, and CNN cited a US defence official pointing to a Russian intelligence service.
Guard post and a new research centre
A guard post now stands at Leipzig/Halle airport. Dobrindt told Bild am Sonntag that a research facility for drone security will open on 18 August at the DLR test airport in Cochstedt, Saxony-Anhalt.
Other opinions
What the US assessment rests on remained open; Russia's embassy in Berlin denied any responsibility on Friday, while Dobrindt speaks only of hybrid attacks by foreign powers.