Employee kicks down explosive drone at Leipzig/Halle; Germany probes hybrid attack

A drone armed with explosives was found at Leipzig/Halle airport after an employee kicked it down, prompting German authorities to investigate a potential hybrid attack. The drone, flying near a Ukrainian transport aircraft, did not detonate because its detonator had come loose; federal police later defused its Semtex explosive charge. Germany's Federal Prosecutor's Office assumed the investigation Thursday, and Chancellor Friedrich Merz convened the National Security Council Friday. Drone sightings at German airports rose to 166 in the first half of 2026, from 101 in 2025. Experts said Germany lacks adequate drone-detection networks, while politicians proposed centralizing security authority and consulting NATO.