Germany Says Russia Behind Drone Attack on Ukrainian An-124 at Leipzig

German Foreign and Interior Ministers said on September 1, 2026, that police investigations and intelligence findings point to a low-level Russian agent as the organizer of drone incidents at Leipzig Airport in August. They described the attacks as part of a Russian hybrid warfare campaign.

One incident involved a quadcopter drone found on the tarmac next to a parked Antonov An-124 operated by Ukrainian state-owned Antonov Airlines. The drone carried 800 grams of explosives. CCTV footage showed it hitting the aircraft's wing and then falling to the ground without exploding.

The An-124 fleet has used Leipzig as a hub for years. Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 the airport has become the airline's primary base of operations. The aircraft are used to support and supply Ukraine's defensive efforts, making the airport a potential target for Russia-aligned actors.

Germany announced new measures against Russia in response. NATO's German mission stated that allies stand united in protecting their countries and deterring threats across the alliance.