Car crashes through fence at German airport weeks after bomb drone found near Ukraine cargo plane as flights grounded

A CAR crashed through a fence at a major German airport just weeks after an explosive-rigged drone was found on a runway.

Flights have been grounded after the security breach at Leipzig/Halle Airport was discovered on Saturday evening.

German police officers gather outside Leipzig Airport at night following a security breach.
Police gather at Leipzig airport in Germany after the security breach Credit: Reuters
Damaged chain-link fence at Leipzig Airport at night.
Cops found damage to a fence surrounding the airport at around 11pm on Saturday Credit: Reuters

Cops found damage to a fence surrounding the airport shortly before 11pm – sparking a frantic search to locate possible trespassers.

“Investigations so far have shown that it is highly likely a vehicle must have crashed through the fence,” the Leipzig Police Department said.

The damaged section of the fence was located near parked Russian Antonov cargo planes, police said.

Three Russian Antonov cargo planes are parked on the airport grounds; due to the EU sanctions imposed on Russia in 2022.

German police investigate fence breach at Leipzig/Halle airport in Schkeuditz
Police officers continue to investigate a fence breach at Leipzig/Halle Airport on Sunday Credit: Reuters
First responders stand behind a police tape barrier at Leipzig Airport at night.
Firefighters at the scene stand near a police cordon as investigations continue Credit: Reuters

Spokeswoman Therese Leverenz told German outlet BILD: “Following the security-related incident, flight operations on the north side of the airport were suspended.”

Police confirmed Sunday morning that no unauthorised person or vehicle was found on the grounds.

Additional crews have now been brought in as the search continues to identify any suspicious activity across the airport.

Federal and state police were at the scene alongside firefighters and forensics in a multi-agency operation.

Chaos broke out at Leipzig/Halle Airport on August 4 after an explosive-rigged drone was discovered near a fleet of Ukrainian cargo planes.

A second unidentified object also collided with an incoming aircraft and authorities found a third drone and more bombs just west of the airport.

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the Russian state was responsible for the plot.

He pointing to analysis of “the drone configuration, components, explosives and detonators” as evidence of the Kremlin’s involvement.

Police officers investigate the scene at Leipzig Airport at night, following a security breach where a car drove onto the grounds.
Police and forensics mark out evidence near the damaged fence Credit: Reuters
German police vehicles with flashing blue lights outside Leipzig Airport at night.
A large police presence was at the scene last night as flights were suspended Credit: Reuters

Dobrindt said the Leipzig airport attack followed the “well-established pattern of Russian hybrid operations in Europe”.

“We are not at war, but we are a daily target of hybrid attacks”, he said adding that Germany would likely be targeted again.

Moscow rejected the accusations, claiming it was not behind the attack.

But just days later a barrage of homemade rockets “packed with explosives” was fired at a major German power station.

Multiple power lines were damaged as the improvised missiles rained down.

Bomb disposal teams raced to the facility before defusing several missiles, local reports say.

Brandenburg’s Interior Minister Jan Redmann called the incident a targeted sabotage attack against the energy infrastructure this afternoon.

The suspected aim of the plot was to cause a blackout at the nearby Jänschwalde coal plant.

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