Germans identify two men as responsible for drones in Leipzig

– The findings so far point to individuals who acted on behalf of Russian state bodies – said the German Minister of the Interior, Alexander Dobrindt, and described them as low-level agents.

Investigators believe that a man born in Russia with a Latvian passport is connected to the Russian intelligence service.

He apparently entered Germany at the end of July via the Berlin airport, and then drove to Leipzig in a rented car. Two days before the failed attack, the suspect left Germany again, also by plane from Berlin.

DNA traces were also found at the scene, which led the investigators to the second suspect. Genetic material was discovered on one of the drones, on the inside of a can filled with explosives, and on the antenna. The antenna was attached to a tree near the airport to boost the signal for mobile phone-controlled drones.

A comparison of the traces with European databases revealed matches in Lithuania and Finland. That’s how the authorities came to Belarus, which is in various countries moreć was registered for other criminal offences.

The investigators were able to reconstruct his entry into and exit from Germany. The suspect, who also has a Russian passport, entered the country with an Italian tourist visa. According to official data, the document was issued to him at the end of April at the Italian embassy in Minsk.

Answer from Russia

Russia’s foreign ministry on Wednesday invited the German charge d’affaires to Moscow to refute “completely fabricated” accusations by Germany that Russia was behind an attempted drone attack on Leipzig/Halle airport last month.

– Berlin deliberately engaged in an obvious provocation aimed at escalating tensions in Russian-German relations. The actions of the German authorities will be met with a strong response – announced the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.