Drone hits wing of Ukrainian cargo plane at Leipzig airport

A drone discovered at Germany’s Leipzig/Halle airport collided with a Ukrainian An-24 cargo aircraft, striking the wing of the plane while it was on the ground.

This was reported by Die Zeit, citing sources and security camera footage.

According to the publication, the incident occurred on August 4 at around 19:30 local time (18:30 Moscow time). The drone flew toward the An-24, which was standing on the ground, clipped its wing, then bounced off and fell to the ground. Die Zeit notes that wings are one of the most vulnerable parts of an aircraft, as they typically house fuel tanks.

Security camera footage reviewed by Die Zeit shows that the explosive device was not on the drone itself but was lying some distance away from it. It is believed the device may have separated upon impact with the aircraft. Why the device did not detonate remains unknown.

According to the publication, the video indicates that the drone was heading toward the aircraft with the intent to damage it. Earlier, investigators had also considered the possibility that the launch of the device may have been an attempt at a warning.

The drone was not discovered until approximately four hours after the collision. A bus driver who spotted the device stepped on it and called security. It had previously been reported that he kicked the device and knocked it over.

German broadcasters SZ, NDR, and WDR had earlier reported that the An-24 was carrying ammunition transported from France to Leipzig. According to Die Welt, the drone failed to explode only because its detonator had broken off.

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, shortly after the incident, described the discovery of the drone at the airport as “a new level of threat.” He raised the possibility of foreign state involvement and noted that the “operation” was not carried out by amateurs and had been “very professionally prepared.” Dobrindt assured that those responsible would be identified.

“A hastily concocted provocation” — that is how the Russian Embassy in Germany characterized the drone incident, stating that it serves the interests of Kyiv and those who support further militarization of Europe.

Leipzig/Halle airport is one of Germany’s largest cargo aviation hubs and serves as the main operational base for NATO’s SALIS strategic airlift program.