Allegations have been raised that Russia is behind the explosive-laden unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) found near a Ukrainian cargo aircraft at a German airport. It is the first time an explosives-bearing drone has been discovered in Europe.

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said on the 5th (local time), “The appearance of a drone carrying explosives at an airport is a new threat scenario,” adding, “We are facing a professional hybrid-attack scenario,” according to reports by the Associated Press and others. Armin Schuster, Saxony’s interior minister, also called it “a very serious security incident.” A ‘hybrid attack’ refers to a complex security threat that employs not only military force but also non-military means such as cyberattacks and disinformation.

Around midnight the same day at Germany’s Leipzig/Halle Airport, a drone carrying explosives was found near a Ukrainian Antonov aircraft, prompting authorities to launch an investigation. Airport operations were temporarily suspended and several aircraft diverted. A DHL cargo plane that had taken off from the airport and was climbing collided with another flying object and sustained minor damage.

Both inside and outside Germany, many suspect Russia is also behind this incident, as with drone cases that have occurred at airports, military facilities, and ports across European countries. In a report last month, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) concluded that most of the 144 drone intrusion incidents recorded at European airports and military facilities since 2024 were likely the work of Russia. However, unlike this case, none of those drones carried explosives, and most appeared intended for reconnaissance and surveillance.

Oleksii Makeiev, Ukraine’s ambassador to Germany, said, “If not Russia, who could do such a thing?” The expertise evident in the explosives and the drone is also lending weight to the theory of Russian involvement. Minister Dobrindt said those behind the incident “must have possessed a high level of technical expertise and experience related to explosive ordnance disposal.”

If it is proven to be Russia’s doing, relations between Europe and Russiaalready worsened since the war in Ukraineare expected to deteriorate further. Military tensions are also likely to rise. Germany is among Ukraine’s largest military supporters.

There are also growing concerns about the security architecture of Germany and Europe. Critics note that even after experiencing, at the same airport in 2024, a fire incident suspected to be Russia’s doing, authorities still failed to prevent this case. Russia has made no comment.