Russian-Latvian National and Belarusian Suspected in Leipzig Attack, Media Report

A Russian national with a Latvian passport and a Belarusian citizen are suspected of taking part in an attempted attack on Leipzig airport involving a drone loaded with explosives, according to German media.

The joint investigation by Süddeutsche Zeitung and regional broadcasters NDR and WDR said authorities believe they have identified the people responsible. The target was reportedly a Ukrainian Antonov aircraft used to carry military supplies. The reports appeared a day after the German government blamed Russia for the incident and described the perpetrators as “low-level agents” working for the Kremlin.

The Russian-Latvian suspect is believed to have contacts at the Russian Consulate General. He reportedly entered Germany through Berlin airport and traveled to Leipzig in a rental car. Investigators suspect he handled logistics and left Germany through Berlin two days before the attempted attack.

The second suspect, who holds both Belarusian and Russian passports, allegedly entered Germany on a visa issued by the Italian consulate in Minsk. German authorities are reportedly skeptical that either suspect can be brought before a court, citing previous cases in which foreign agents could not be tried because they did not return to European Union territory after allegedly committing crimes.

An explosive-laden drone was found at Leipzig airport on the night of Aug. 4. The attack apparently failed because the bomb’s detonator malfunctioned. A second drone may have collided with a DHL cargo aircraft after the plane aborted its landing because the airport had closed. Investigators also found another unmanned aircraft near the airport on Aug. 14, along with explosives.