Following the discovery of a drone carrying explosives at the Halle/Leipzig Airport, Russia expert Matthias Uhl says that, at first glance, there are some indications pointing to a possible operation by Russian intelligence services. “However, there are also questions that cast doubt on possible Russian involvement,” Uhl told the German Press Agency in Moscow. Because Moscow’s agents in the West are under close surveillance, “it would likely be difficult to orchestrate such a complex operation from there,” said Uhl, who has written a book about the military intelligence service GRU.
The Federal Prosecutor’s Office is investigating on suspicion of attempted detonation of an explosive device and endangering air traffic, the Karlsruhe-based agency announced. No specific suspicions have been disclosed.
While Russian intelligence services could easily recruit so-called “disposable agents,” this was a complex operation, Uhl added. “Procuring the necessary explosives and detonators, as well as preparing them for use, requires specialized knowledge that only trained experts possess,” he explained.