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Germany's Merz warns attackers will 'pay price' after drone incident
BBC • • world
Key Points:
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that those responsible for recent drone attacks and hostile acts against Germany, including an incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport, would face consequences.
- On 4 August, a drone carrying explosives was found near Ukrainian cargo planes at Leipzig/Halle Airport but failed to detonate due to a faulty detonator; police also believe a second drone collided with a cargo aircraft.
- Security experts suspect Russia's involvement, as the airport serves military and NATO transport and is a base for Ukraine's Antonov Airlines; investigators have since found a third drone and traces of the explosive hexogen nearby.
- Merz emphasized that Germany faces a serious external threat and announced plans to enhance drone defenses and empower security services to counter attacks, including potential cyber operations against perpetrators.
- He reaffirmed Germany's strong support for Ukraine, aiming to pressure Russia into peace talks while continuing to back Ukraine's defense efforts.
