Why Russia is targeting Germany

Leipzig-Halle is more than a major European cargo airport. It is also a base for Ukrainian air transport and a key NATO logistics point, making it an especially sensitive location in the confrontation with Russia.

A drone fitted with an explosive device was found on the airport’s runway on Aug. 9, near an aircraft operated by Ukraine’s Antonov Airlines. Airport traffic was temporarily suspended. Germany later blamed Russia for the incident, prompting strong reactions in Berlin and Brussels.

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The characteristics of a state-supported terrorist act.

Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, said the incident had “the characteristics of a state-supported terrorist act.” French President Emmanuel Macron described it as part of Russia’s “hybrid war” against Europeans. Germany also announced new sanctions against Russia.

The airport lies in Saxony, just over 200 kilometers from the Polish border, and is one of Europe’s most important air-freight hubs. DHL Express operates a European distribution center there, and about 1.4 million tonnes of cargo passed through the airport in 2025. Its strategic importance, however, has grown beyond commercial transport.

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Hybrid war.

Much of the military support sent to Ukraine passes through Leipzig, said Peter Neumann, a security expert and professor at King’s College London. After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Antonov Airlines moved part of its fleet there to protect it from possible destruction. Five giant Antonov An-124 transport aircraft reportedly ended up at the airport, where a new large hangar is also being built.

Leipzig-Halle has supported NATO and German military logistics for decades. During the war in Afghanistan, it helped move U.S. troops, while Germany used it to transport military equipment. Since 2006, it has served as the operational center for the Strategic Airlift International Solution, which allows countries including Germany and France to use large Antonov An-124 aircraft. The program has also supported humanitarian operations, including medical-equipment deliveries during the coronavirus pandemic.

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A large part of military support for Ukraine passes through Leipzig airport.