Explosive-Armed Drone Intercepted at German Airport: Cargo Jet Struck In-Flight Moments Later

Germany investigating a series of apparently related incidents at Leipzig airport, including an armed explosive drone and a mid-air collision.

August 05, 2026 11:12 AM ET A German airport suspended flights after a staff member discovered a drone equipped with an explosive device near the runway, before a cargo plane was rerouted after colliding with a second unidentified flying object early Wednesday, police said.A bomb disposal robot was deployed at the Leip

After the drone was discovered, a diverted plane hit an unidentified object while climbing away from the airport.

Incident appears to mark an escalation after two years of drone incursions at European airports

Air traffic at Leipzig/Halle airport was briefly suspended on Tuesday night after a plane collided with an unknown object mid-air and an explosives-laden drone was found near a Ukrainian plane, raising suspicions of Russian interference.

Air traffic at Leipzig/Halle airport was briefly suspended on Tuesday night after a plane collided with an unknown object mid-air and an explosives-laden drone was found near a Ukrainian plane, raising suspicions of Russian interference.

A drone carrying an explosive device has been found at a German airport after reports of a flying object closed both runways.

A drone carrying an explosive device has been found at a German airport, police say.

A cargo plane struck an unidentified flying object midair and a drone carrying an explosive device was discovered at Germany's Leipzig airport.

German police raised the alarm at an airport overnight after an explosives-laden drone was found near a Ukrainian cargo plane and another aircraft collided with an unknown flying object mid-air nearby before landing safely.

A drone of unknown origin was discovered overnight on August 5 at Leipzig Airport, the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung and other German outlets reported.

A German airport was disrupted for hours after an explosive-laden drone was discovered near one of the runways. Investigators are examining a possible political motive. DW has the latest.

Counter-terror team investigating after DHL plane also collided mid-air with unknown object at Leipzig airport Europe live – latest updates German police deployed a bomb disposal robot after a drone carrying explosives was found at Leipzig airport overnight, causing alarm and the diversion of several flights. A DHL c

Flights at Germany’s Leipzig/Halle Airport were disrupted overnight as authorities investigated

Authorities say a drone with an explosive device has been found at Germany’s Leipzig/Halle Airport and a detonator has been removed from the object

The drone was found in the cargo area near a Ukrainian aircraft before another suspected object collided with a cargo aircraft in mid-air.

Drone with an explosive device found at a German airport and detonator removed  AP News

The airport is a major cargo hub and the planes located there include Ukrainian Antonov transport aircraft.

Both the airport’s runways were closed and several flights, including one passenger plane, were diverted to other airports.

A German newspaper reported that the drone carried explosives and a detonator – but police have not confirmed this and said the investigation is ongoing.

German police raised the alarm at an airport overnight after an explosives-laden drone was found near a Ukrainian cargo plane and another aircraft collided with an unknown flying object mid-air nearby before landing safely.

BERLIN, Aug 5 - A DHL cargo aircraft hit an unknown object as it was climbing away from Leipzig/Halle airport in eastern Germany overnight, prompting an unscheduled landing in Hanover, a source familiar with the incident told Reuters on Wednesday.

'Modified drone' found next to Ukrainian transport plane at German airport, second collides with cargo plane  The Kyiv Independent

Drone carrying explosive device causes disruption at major German airport  CNN

German police said Wednesday that a “security related” incident involving an unidentified object found at an airport forced the diversion of flights and the deployment of a bomb disposal robot overnight. The Bild newspaper said the object found at Leipzig-Halle airport was a drone with a detonator and possibly explosiv

An unidentified flying object was also seen.By Berk Uyal, Live News Content Editor/Reporter 10:24, Wed, Aug 5, 2026 Updated: 10:25, Wed, Aug 5, 2026 Leipzig Airport (Image: Getty)An airport in Germany has closed a runway after a drone and a detonator were reportedly found near a Ukrainian plane.MORE UPDATES TO FOLLOW..

Flights at German airport disrupted after suspect objects sighted  Toronto Star