Bus driver downs explosive-laden drone at Leipzig/Halle airport

Leipzig, Germany. A bus driver knocked an explosive-laden drone from the air at Leipzig/Halle airport late on Tuesday, potentially preventing an attack at the major NATO and cargo logistics hub, senior lawmaker Detlef Seif said on Friday.

The driver saw the drone flying low while working at the airport and kicked at it, causing it to crash nearby, according to Seif of the governing conservative CDU party.

Counterterrorism investigation

Federal prosecutors have opened a counterterrorism investigation into what they described as a serious attack that could have affected domestic and foreign security. The incursion was reported on Wednesday.

Prosecutors said the drone was equipped with professional explosives and a detonator. Seif described the driver’s action as courageous but dangerous.

Authorities have not identified the driver or said where the drone came from or how it entered a restricted area of the airport.

Airport’s strategic role

Leipzig/Halle airport is the main operational base for NATO’s Strategic Airlift International Solution, known as SALIS. The programme uses Antonov aircraft to transport equipment, including for missions aimed at strengthening the alliance’s eastern flank.

The airport is also used by logistics companies including DHL.

Russian response

German authorities have previously accused Moscow of carrying out hybrid attacks, defined as acts of aggression falling short of war.

Moscow has denied those accusations. Russia’s embassy in Berlin did not respond to a Reuters request for comment on the Leipzig/Halle drone incident.