Leipzig drone incident — Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Germany of fabricating evidence to blame Moscow for a drone carrying explosives that appeared at Leipzig Airport. The accusation comes after German officials stated on Tuesday (September 1, 2026) that Russia was responsible for the August incident.

The drone, equipped with explosives and a detonator, was found near a runway at Leipzig/Halle Airport on August 4, 2026, following a DHL cargo plane’s emergency landing due to striking an unidentified object. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt described the event as fitting a pattern of Russian hybrid operations in Europe, based on analysis of the drone’s technology and intelligence reports.

In response to the accusations, Russian Foreign Minister Maria Zakharova stated that Russia would deliver a fitting response to what she termed “anti-Russian” claims. Germany has also taken measures, including closing a Russian cultural center in Berlin and the Russian consulate in Bonn.

Leipzig/Halle Airport is a key cargo hub and has military significance, serving as a base for NATO transport operations. The incident temporarily halted operations and led to the closure of runways. German authorities are investigating the case as a potential attack on the country’s transport and logistics infrastructure.