Germany's Dobrindt says Russia link to Leipzig drone hard to prove
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German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said on Wednesday the federal government lacks sufficient evidence to attribute the drone incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport to Russia. He added that decisions on consequences will be made jointly with Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and Chancellor Friedrich Merz once the perpetrator is identified.
Key Facts
- The drone was discovered on the night of August 5 near a Ukrainian cargo plane at Leipzig/Halle Airport.
- The drone was equipped with Semtex explosive and a detonator.
- US intelligence believes the drone is likely linked to the Russian government.
- Dobrindt stated that the investigation involving intelligence services is being conducted with maximum intensity.
Government Response
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt asked for understanding for the federal government's position, which currently refrains from stating who may be behind the drone incident at Leipzig Airport. He said the government currently lacks confirmation and sufficient grounds for an unambiguous assessment of what happened. Dobrindt added that decisions on possible consequences will be made jointly with Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and Chancellor Friedrich Merz once authorities establish who is behind the drone. He said the investigation involving intelligence services is being conducted with maximum intensity.
Drone Discovery and Evidence
On the night of August 5, a drone of unknown origin equipped with explosives and a detonator was discovered at Leipzig/Halle Airport next to a Ukrainian cargo plane. US intelligence believes the drone is likely linked to the Russian government. Several details point to a high level of professionalism by the perpetrators: the drone was not purchased in a store but specially manufactured in a way that random criminals or amateur builders could not achieve. The Semtex explosive attached to the drone was powerful enough that it could probably have caused the aircraft to explode. According to Die Zeit, this type of explosive is sometimes found on the black market but is most often used by the military.
