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Germany Identifies Two Suspects in Failed Drone Attack Attempt in Leipzig
🇬🇷 Greece /Conflict & Security

Germany Identifies Two Suspects in Failed Drone Attack Attempt in Leipzig

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • German authorities have identified two men suspected of involvement in a failed drone attack attempt at Leipzig airport on Aug. 4.
  • Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the operation appeared professionally organized and resembled hybrid Russian operations recorded elsewhere in Europe.
  • Investigators are examining DNA found on a drone, an explosive container and a signal antenna, and are considering whether more drones were involved.

German investigators have identified two men allegedly linked to the failed drone attack attempt at Leipzig airport: a Russian-born man with a Latvian passport and a Belarusian man who holds a Russian passport and is reportedly known to authorities for other offenses.

Berlin believes people acting for Russian state services stood behind the plan on Aug. 4. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt described the attempt as professionally organized, with a high level of technical expertise and extensive preparation. He said its design resembled the “Russian hybrid operations” recorded across Europe and referred to those allegedly involved as “low-level agents.”

professionally organized

— Alexander DobrindtThe German interior minister’s description of the failed drone attack attempt.

The German government has not publicly presented detailed evidence supporting that assessment. Dobrindt also declined to identify the suspects, citing the need to protect the investigation.

Russian hybrid operations

— Alexander DobrindtDobrindt’s comparison between the operation’s design and alleged Russian operations recorded in Europe.

According to information from Süddeutsche Zeitung, NDR and WDR, investigators believe the Russian-born man with the Latvian passport organized and coordinated the planned attack. He reportedly flew to Germany through Berlin’s BER airport at the end of July, rented a car and traveled toward Leipzig. Two days before the failed drone operation, he allegedly left Germany by air through BER.

DNA evidence reportedly played a decisive role. Genetic material was found on one of the drones, inside a can containing explosives and on an antenna placed in a tree near the airport. Investigators believe the antenna helped boost the drones’ signal, which was controlled through a mobile network. Comparisons with European databases reportedly produced matches in Lithuania and Finland. Authorities are also examining whether more drones were used than those found so far.

low-level agents

— Alexander DobrindtHis characterization of people allegedly acting for Russian state services.
About this summary

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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