A Latvian Citizen Suspected of Organizing a Sabotage at Leipzig Airport 0 1282

According to the publication, the investigation into both men — a Latvian citizen and a Russian citizen — confirms the German government's statements that Russia is behind this incident.

As reported by bb.lv, on August 4, a drone with explosives was discovered at Leipzig Airport, which plays an important role in supplying the Ukrainian army. The police used a robot to defuse the explosive device on the drone found near a Ukrainian cargo plane.

It is believed that a second drone may have collided with a nearby DHL logistics company aircraft. A third drone, also equipped with explosives, was later discovered. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt stated on Tuesday that this attempted attack fits a well-known pattern of Russian hybrid operations. According to him, the German government "has concluded that Russia is responsible for the hybrid attack that occurred on August 4 in Leipzig."

Dobrindt reported that authorities found parts of the drone, explosives, a detonator, and other elements characteristic of other Russian hybrid operations. He stated that the device indicates a high level of technical preparation and careful planning; however, the actual execution of the plan was apparently entrusted to lower-level agents.

According to media reports, investigators are confident that they have identified the logistics specialist and instructor involved in preparing the alleged attack in Leipzig. The man with a Latvian passport reportedly has connections to Russian intelligence services. At the end of July, he arrived in Germany through Berlin Airport, after which he allegedly headed towards Leipzig in a rented car.

Two days before the incident at Leipzig Airport, the suspect left Germany — again by plane through Berlin Airport.

At the scene, investigators also found DNA traces that led them to the second suspect. DNA traces were found on one of the drones, inside a container filled with explosives, as well as on an antenna attached to a tree near the airport. The antenna was presumably intended to amplify signals for drones controlled via a mobile network. Comparison of the discovered traces with European databases revealed matches in Lithuania and Finland. Thus, authorities identified a man from Belarus, who had previously come to the attention of law enforcement agencies in various countries in connection with other crimes.

Investigators are skeptical about the possibility of holding the alleged perpetrators accountable. Previously, for example, after the attack on the German Bundestag in 2015, authorities failed to apprehend the suspected agents, as they had already been outside Europe by that time.