German investigators find third drone, explosives after failed airport attack, media say


FILE PHOTO: A police officer in protective clothing walks next to an explosive-disarming robot (EOD) at Leipzig/Halle Airport in Schkeuditz, Germany, August 5, 2026. REUTERS/Axel Schmidt/File Photo

BERLIN, Aug 25 (Reuters) - ⁠German investigators discovered a third drone ⁠and suspected explosives linked to this month's ‌attempted attack on the Leipzig/Halle airport, broadcasters NDR and WDR and the Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper said on ​Tuesday.

The drone was found on ⁠August 14, 10 days ⁠after the incident, to the west of the ⁠airport, ‌where investigators also discovered about 50 grams (1.8 oz) of a substance ⁠they suspected to be the military explosive ​hexogen, the ‌media reports said.

The office of the ⁠prosecutor general ​did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Security sources cited in the ⁠reports suspect Russian intelligence involvement ​in the attempted attack, an accusation Moscow has denied.

On August 4, an explosives-laden drone was discovered ⁠near a Ukrainian Antonov cargo aircraft used for military supplies. Investigators also suspect a second drone may have collided with a ​DHL cargo plane soon after ⁠the airport's temporary shutdown.

The airport is a ​cargo and military logistics hub ‌used by NATO and ​Ukraine's Antonov Airlines for military supplies.

(Writing by Friederike Heine; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)

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