German authorities discovered a third unmanned aerial vehicle in a field in Kabelsketal, west of Leipzig/Halle Airport , on August 14, 2026. Forensic investigators subsequently located approximately 50 grams of hexogen explosive at the same site the following day.
The discovery follows earlier incidents near the airport. On August 4, 2026, an explosive-laden drone was found near a parked Antonov Airlines An-124. Shortly after, a second drone struck a DHL cargo aircraft following the temporary closure of the airport, causing tail section damage prior to its diversion landing at Hanover Airport (HAJ) .
Investigators also recovered additional drone components, including a motor and rotor, near the airport on August 11, 2026. The Federal Criminal Police Office is conducting an investigation into the incidents on behalf of Federal Prosecutor General Jens Rommel.
