Russian spy link in Leipzig airport drone plot
The drone was discovered on August 4 in a secured cargo area at Leipzig airport, close to a Ukrainian cargo aircraft. The August 4 incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport involved an explosives-laden drone found near a Ukrainian transport jet. The newspaper reported that German authorities believe Russian national Oleg Le, allegedly linked to Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency, acted as the logistics coordinator for the suspected operation.
German investigators suspect the incident may have been part of a wider “hybrid attack”, according to a report by Welt am Sonntag. Investigators have also identified a second suspect, Belarusian national Andrei Ka, the report said. Investigators believe Le entered Germany from Turkey before travelling onwards to Serbia via Berlin airport, according to Welt am Sonntag. The report said German authorities were aware of Le’s alleged links to the GRU when he entered the country but did not place him under surveillance. An agency spokeswoman told AFP that she could not comment “due to the ongoing investigation”.
German authorities were able to disarm the drone and later the German government officially blamed Russia in early September. He is now believed to have returned to Russia. Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, the BfV, declined to comment on the report.