Germany Probes Drone and Suspected Explosives Near Air Base

German investigators are examining suspected explosive material found near the wreckage of a drone outside a major Bundeswehr air base and checking for a possible connection to an attempted attack on Ukrainian cargo aircraft at Leipzig/Halle Airport.A farmer discovered the drone, which had broken into several pieces, near Wunstorf Air Base in Lower Saxony more than a week ago, according to joint reporting published by Süddeutsche Zeitung, NDR and WDR on Tuesday, Sept. 22.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official.Several days later, officers reportedly found suspicious material only a few meters from the wreckage. Security sources told the outlets that investigators currently believe the substance could be explosive, although forensic testing has not been completed.Authorities have not confirmed that the material belonged to the drone or that the aircraft had been prepared for an attack.Drone found near key Bundeswehr transport hubWunstorf Air Base hosts Germany’s fleet of Airbus A400M military transport aircraft and serves as a central hub for moving Bundeswehr personnel and equipment worldwide.Germany’s Federal Prosecutor’s Office and Federal Criminal Police Office are examining whether the discovery could be connected to the attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport in August.Investigators reportedly found similarities between the construction of the Wunstorf drone and aircraft used in the Leipzig incident. At least one component of the drone discovered near Wunstorf was reportedly produced with a 3D printer. Other Topics of Interest Stubb: ‘You Guys Are Not Going to Win This’ – Putin Must Come to the Peace Table Stubb said Ukraine is in a stronger position than a year ago and backed a mutual halt to attacks on energy infrastructure before winter. However, investigators also believe the drone may have been lying near the military base for a considerable period, possibly as long as two years. That uncertainty could complicate efforts to establish when it crashed and whether it was connected to the Leipzig plot.A spokesperson for the Federal Prosecutor’s Office declined to comment, citing the continuing investigation. The Wunstorf discovery was also discussed during a weekly intelligence and security briefing at the German Chancellery.Leipzig plot targeted Ukrainian cargo planesIn early August, airport personnel found a drone carrying explosives in a secured cargo area at Leipzig/Halle Airport, close to several Ukrainian Antonov An-124 transport aircraft.German federal prosecutors subsequently took over the case, saying there was sufficient evidence that the drone had been intended to cause an explosion.“The drone had been equipped with professional explosives and a detonator,” the prosecutors said.Investigators believe a technical defect prevented the explosive device from detonating. A second object, also suspected to have been a drone, reportedly collided with a cargo aircraft as it attempted a go-around because of the security incident. The aircraft later landed safely in Hanover with minor damage.The Leipzig airport is a major civilian freight center and a NATO logistics hub. Ukrainian Antonov aircraft operating from the airport support the transportation of military equipment to strengthen NATO’s eastern flank.Investigators reportedly believe the attackers intended to destroy Ukrainian cargo aircraft. One of the planes near the explosive drone was carrying ammunition and aviation fuel, according to German media reports.Germany blames Russia for Leipzig attackThe German government has since attributed the attempted Leipzig attack to Russia, describing it as part of Moscow’s hybrid campaign against European countries supporting Ukraine.German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt described the incident as a “hybrid attack.” Moscow has denied involvement.Investigators are reportedly focusing on two suspects, including a Latvian citizen who also holds a Russian passport and is alleged to have contacts with Russia’s GRU military intelligence service. No arrests have been publicly announced.No evidence has yet been presented publicly linking Russia or the Leipzig suspects to the Wunstorf discovery. The suspected explosive material has also not been conclusively identified.The investigation comes amid growing concern over drones and other security incidents near military facilities and NATO territory. Kyiv Post previously reported that Polish officials no longer regard repeated drone and missile incidents near the alliance’s eastern frontier as isolated accidents. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.