{"id":29425,"date":"2026-08-06T05:04:29","date_gmt":"2026-08-06T00:04:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=29425"},"modified":"2026-08-06T05:04:29","modified_gmt":"2026-08-06T00:04:29","slug":"leipzig-halle-airport-explosive-drone-triggers-hybrid-attack-probe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=29425","title":{"rendered":"Leipzig\/Halle Airport explosive drone triggers hybrid attack probe"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div data-layout-index=\"4\" class=\"featured featured-video video-ct\" data-v-7b1896ea=\"\"><!----> <\/p>\n<div class=\"contain\" data-v-7b1896ea=\"\">  <!----> <\/p>\n<div class=\"info\" data-v-7b1896ea=\"\">\n<div class=\"caption\" data-v-7b1896ea=\"\">\n<h4 class=\"title\" data-v-7b1896ea=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/video\/6400363185112\" data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_world_article_main-content_featured-video_5_1\" data-v-7b1896ea=\"\">Russia&#8217;s shadow fleet launches drone campaign across Europe<\/a><\/h4>\n<p data-v-7b1896ea=\"\">Jennifer Griffin reports on Russia&#8217;s shadow fleet launching a drone campaign across Europe to surveil military sites and test NATO&#8217;s air defenses. The International Institute for Strategic Studies report reveals 144 suspected drones near sensitive sites in Germany, France, and the UK.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"beyondwords-wrapper\" data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"beyondwords-wrapper\">\n<p><span class=\"label-bg\">NEW<\/span>You can now listen to Fox News articles!\n  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"speakable\">A drone carrying explosives was found near a Ukrainian plane at <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_world_article_main-content_article-body_6_691693\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/world\/world-regions\/germany\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Germany&#8217;s Leipzig\/Halle Airport<\/a> late Tuesday, prompting officials to warn the incident represented &#8220;a new quality of danger,&#8221; authorities said Wednesday.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"speakable\">The discovery temporarily shut down both runways at the major <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_world_article_main-content_article-body_6_691694\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/world\/world-regions\/europe\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">European freight hub<\/a> and forced several flights to divert to other airports, according to <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_world_article_main-content_article-body_6_691695\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/germany-leipzig-halle-airport-disruption-7812a9ca0916056dbe2530c9c8e90060\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">The Associated Press<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Another flying object was spotted nearby shortly before midnight and several flights, including one passenger plane, were then diverted to other airports.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_world_article_main-content_article-body_6_691696\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/us\/jetblue-flight-reports-drone-strike-approach-new-york-airport-faa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>JETBLUE FLIGHT REPORTS DRONE STRIKE DURING APPROACH TO NEW YORK AIRPORT: FAA<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<div data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/343\/192\/drone-robot-device-leipzig.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/686\/384\/drone-robot-device-leipzig.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/672\/378\/drone-robot-device-leipzig.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1344\/756\/drone-robot-device-leipzig.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/931\/523\/drone-robot-device-leipzig.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1862\/1046\/drone-robot-device-leipzig.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"523\" width=\"931\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/720\/405\/drone-robot-device-leipzig.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1440\/810\/drone-robot-device-leipzig.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"405\" width=\"720\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1200\/675\/drone-robot-device-leipzig.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1\" alt=\"Explosive-disposal robot Leipzig\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"caption\">\n<p><span>Police said an airport worker had found the first drone near the airport&#8217;s south runway with &#8220;an unknown explosive device.&#8221;<\/span> <span>(Hendrik Schmidt\/DPA via AP)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">German police launched a large response and opened an investigation into the two incidents.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Police said an airport worker found the first explosive drone near the airport&#8217;s south runway with &#8220;an unknown explosive device.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">An explosives-disposal robot was deployed to examine the device before authorities removed its detonator.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">The plane, bearing the blue-and-yellow colors of the Ukrainian flag, displayed the English-language slogan, &#8220;Be Brave Like Kherson,&#8221; a tribute to the southern <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_world_article_main-content_article-body_6_691697\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/world\/conflicts\/ukraine\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ukrainian region<\/a>, <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_world_article_main-content_article-body_6_691698\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/germany-leipzig-explosive-drone-new-level-of-danger-minister\/live-78241747\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Deutsche Welle<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">In the second incident, an unidentified flying object <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_world_article_main-content_article-body_6_691699\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/us\/jetblue-flight-reports-drone-strike-approach-new-york-airport-faa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">collided with a cargo aircraft<\/a> that had aborted its landing at Leipzig\/Halle Airport because of the runway closure.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_world_article_main-content_article-body_6_691700\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/us\/helicopter-drone-encounter-jfk-hours-jetblues-possible-drone-strike\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>HELICOPTER REPORTS NEAR MISS WITH RC PLANE NEAR JFK AFTER JETBLUE DRONE STRIKE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<div data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/343\/192\/leipzig-drone-ukraine-airline.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/686\/384\/leipzig-drone-ukraine-airline.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/672\/378\/leipzig-drone-ukraine-airline.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1344\/756\/leipzig-drone-ukraine-airline.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/931\/523\/leipzig-drone-ukraine-airline.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1862\/1046\/leipzig-drone-ukraine-airline.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"523\" width=\"931\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/720\/405\/leipzig-drone-ukraine-airline.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1440\/810\/leipzig-drone-ukraine-airline.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"405\" width=\"720\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1200\/675\/leipzig-drone-ukraine-airline.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1\" alt=\"Ukrainian Antonov cargo plane\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"caption\">\n<p><span>The plane bore the blue-and-yellow colors of the Ukrainian flag.<\/span> <span>(Hendrik Schmidt\/DPA via AP)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">The aircraft diverted to Hannover Airport, about 125 miles north-west of Leipzig, where officials found minor damage, according to The Associated Press.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the discovery of the first drone marked a significant escalation.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;Drone sightings, drone threats, including in a hybrid context, are something we know from the past,&#8221; he said. &#8220;That a drone armed with explosives is at an airport is a new threat scenario.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Dobrindt also described the incident as &#8220;a <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_world_article_main-content_article-body_6_691701\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/politics\/executive\/national-security\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">hybrid attack scenario<\/a>.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">He said questions about the type of explosives used, the drone&#8217;s origin and who was responsible remained under investigation.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;All the speculation that is currently going on about the explosives, the construction, the question of the drone, the origin and, of course, who is behind it, is now part of the investigation,&#8221; Dobrindt said.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">&#8220;What is happening now also shows that the assessment made months ago \u2014 that we are dealing with a high level of danger \u2014 was justified,&#8221; Dobrindt added.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">In June, Dobrindt opened Germany&#8217;s Joint Centre for <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_world_article_main-content_article-body_6_691702\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/us\/terror\/counter-terrorism\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Countering Hybrid Threats<\/a>, which brings together federal and state security agencies to address threats including espionage, sabotage and disinformation.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_world_article_main-content_article-body_6_691703\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/politics\/report-warns-russia-using-shadow-fleet-probe-nato-drone-defenses\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>REPORT WARNS RUSSIA USING SHADOW FLEET TO PROBE NATO DRONE DEFENSES<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<div data-layout-index=\"5\" class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/343\/192\/1c78f982-ukraine-airline-drone-german-airport.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/686\/384\/1c78f982-ukraine-airline-drone-german-airport.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/672\/378\/1c78f982-ukraine-airline-drone-german-airport.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1344\/756\/1c78f982-ukraine-airline-drone-german-airport.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/931\/523\/1c78f982-ukraine-airline-drone-german-airport.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1862\/1046\/1c78f982-ukraine-airline-drone-german-airport.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"523\" width=\"931\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/720\/405\/1c78f982-ukraine-airline-drone-german-airport.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1440\/810\/1c78f982-ukraine-airline-drone-german-airport.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"405\" width=\"720\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1200\/675\/1c78f982-ukraine-airline-drone-german-airport.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1\" alt=\"A drone carrying explosives positioned next to a Ukrainian plane at Leipzig\/Halle Airport in Germany.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"caption\">\n<p><span>A drone carrying explosives was found at Germany&#8217;s Leipzig\/Halle Airport on Tuesday night next to a Ukrainian plane, with officials warning the incident represented &#8220;a new quality of danger.&#8221;<\/span> <span>(Hendrik Schmidt\/DPA via AP)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Leipzig\/Halle Airport is a major European cargo hub, and <a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_world_article_main-content_article-body_6_691704\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/world\/ukraine-launches-largest-drone-attacks-russia-report\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ukrainian Antonov transport aircraft<\/a> are based there.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_world_article_main-content_article-body_6_691705\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/category\/world\/nato\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">NATO said<\/a> it was aware of the incidents but referred questions to German authorities.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a data-omtr-intcmp=\"fnc_world_article_main-content_article-body_6_691706\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/world\/russia-linked-arson-attacks-properties-connected-uk-pm-keir-starmer-police-say\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>RUSSIA LINKED TO ARSON ATTACKS ON PROPERTIES CONNECTED TO UK PM KEIR STARMER, POLICE SAY<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">Ukraine&#8217;s ambassador to Germany, Oleksii Makeiev, suggested Moscow may have been behind the incident, telling Welt TV on Wednesday, &#8220;Who else could it be but Russia?&#8221; according <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lemonde.fr\/en\/international\/article\/2026\/08\/05\/german-airport-on-alert-after-explosive-drone-found-near-ukrainian-plane-and-mid-air-collision_6756188_4.html?srsltid=AfmBOopI9BF0V3KlS8ebppOKZkxt-Md2_XuOPpQIkTXe1iGoFy_7yioD\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">to reports<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\"><a href=\"https:\/\/foxnews.onelink.me\/xLDS?pid=AppArticleLink&amp;af_dp=foxnewsaf%3A%2F%2F&amp;af_web_dp=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fapps-products\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p data-layout-index=\"5\">In 2024, an incendiary device ignited at a logistics center at Leipzig\/Halle Airport, setting fire to a freight container in an incident Western security officials suspect was part of a Russian intelligence sabotage operation.<\/p>\n<p> <!----> <!----> <\/p>\n<div class=\"article-meta\">\n<div class=\"author-bio\">\n<p>Emma Bussey is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital. Before joining Fox, she worked at The Telegraph with the U.S. overnight team, across desks including foreign, politics, news, sport and culture.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Russia&#8217;s shadow fleet launches drone campaign across Europe Jennifer Griffin reports on Russia&#8217;s shadow fleet launching a drone campaign across Europe to surveil military sites and test NATO&#8217;s air defenses. The International Institute for Strategic Studies report reveals 144 suspected drones near sensitive sites in Germany, France, and the UK. NEWYou can now listen to&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":29426,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1c78f982-ukraine-airline-drone-german-airport.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-29425","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pics-news"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29425","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=29425"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29425\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/29426"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=29425"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=29425"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=29425"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}