Explosive drone at Leipzig airport: Whose DNA was found on the device?

Following the discovery of an explosive drone beside Ukrainian Antonov aircraft, investigators in Leipzig have found DNA traces. According to several media outlets, there are indications of a link to a case from 2024.

On the night of 5 August 2026, Leipzig/Halle Airport came close to disaster when a drone fitted with explosives and a detonator appeared near a cargo aircraft operated by Ukrainian Antonov Airlines. Ammunition destined for Ukraine is reported to have been on board.

According to new findings, reported by the weekly Die Zeit, CCTV footage shows that at around 7.30 pm the drone deliberately flew towards the Ukrainian cargo aircraft and slammed into its wing. The device packed with Semtex did not explode on impact, however, but bounced off the Antonov and fell to the ground. The explosives appear to have become detached from the drone. According to Bild, the drone struck the Antonov close to the aircraft’s fuel tank.

The drone was not picked up by any security system later that evening; instead, according to the report, an airport bus driver noticed the dangerous device four hours after the collision. He stepped on the drone with his foot. The explosives were apparently lying some distance away.

Five days after the incident at Leipzig Airport, Bild and Die Zeit report that investigators have secured DNA traces on the drone that failed to explode. No individual has yet been identified, but, according to Bild, there has been a match in the European DNA database and the trail apparently leads to Lithuania.

In addition, the DNA now secured is said to match that from an arson attack on 20 July 2024 on the DHL logistics centre at Leipzig Airport. The parcel bomb exploded on the ground rather than in the air on board the aircraft only because the DHL cargo plane was delayed.

Read more: Euronews