The federal government has announced a press conference at short notice featuring Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU). They plan to issue a joint statement today at 5:30 p.m., according to a press release from the Federal Ministry of the Interior. The topic of the press conference, which was scheduled on short notice, has not been disclosed. However, the ministers are expected to comment on whom the federal government holds responsible for the attempted attack with an explosive-laden drone at Leipzig/Halle Airport—and how it plans to respond. Politicians and experts had speculated that Russia might be behind the incident. The drone, rigged with explosives, was discovered on the evening of August 4 in the airport’s security area among Ukrainian cargo planes. The Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office referred to it as a “serious attack on Germany’s transportation and logistics infrastructure,” while Interior Minister Dobrindt called it a “hybrid” attack by “foreign powers.” An investigation is underway on suspicion of attempted use of explosives and endangering air traffic. Hybrid warfare refers to a combination of military, economic, intelligence, and propaganda measures. This also includes cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns aimed at influencing public opinion, for example, ahead of elections. Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) had announced that the federal government would soon comment on findings regarding the perpetrators of the incident involving an explosive-laden drone at the airport. On Sunday, he said in an ARD summer interview that the investigation was nearing completion. “We have broad agreement within the federal government on how to respond,” he said. And it won’t be long now. Copyright 2026, dpa (www.dpa.de). All rights reserved“Hybrid Attack”
Merz: Investigations Are Well Underway
