The GRU’s dud drone: How Russian intelligence botched a sabotage plot at Leipzig airport

A joint investigation with Der Spiegel.

On the evening of Aug. 4, a drone carrying explosives crashed into the wing of a Ukrainian An-124 cargo plane parked at Leipzig/Halle Airport in the German state of Saxony. The device failed to detonate, and the drone fell to the ground, where it was discovered several hours later by a bus driver. At the time, the aircraft was empty, but shortly before the incident, it had transported ammunition from France via Leipzig. One can only speculate as to the level of destruction that might have resulted had the act of sabotage succeeded in causing the explosion of an aircraft loaded with ammunition.

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the police investigation and intelligence data pointed to Russian responsibility for the attempted attack. Media reports, citing sources familiar with the investigation, identified the suspects as Oleg L. and Andrei K. both of whom were said to be linked to the GRU. One of the suspects was reported to hold Latvian citizenship, a detail confirmed by Latvian intelligence authorities, but no further details or supporting evidence were presented at the time.

Now, however, The Insider has managed not only to identify the perpetrators but also to prove the GRU’s involvement in organizing the sabotage operation.