Germany signals firm response to drone incident near Ukrainian plane

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul vowed a measured response to the discovery of an explosives-laden drone near a Ukrainian cargo aircraft at Leipzig/Halle Airport last month, as Berlin continues to investigate the incident, dpa reports.

Germany has yet to officially identify those responsible for the August 4 incident, amid widespread speculation that Russia may have been behind it.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz has previously pledged a clear response, saying it was being coordinated with NATO and European Union allies. Wadephul is due to travel to Ireland on September 1 evening for talks with his EU counterparts.

Asked during a visit to Algiers whether Berlin should be concerned about a possible Russian response to any measures Germany might take, Wadephul stressed that Germany would not overreact but would respond if attacked.

“Germany will not be intimidated in any way, and that will continue to be the fundamental stance of our policy,” Wadephul said, adding that Berlin “stands side by side with our Ukrainian partner.”

“Russia must know that Germany is a stabilizing force in Europe, one that is always prepared to negotiate, but which will not be intimidated in any way,” he added.

A drone equipped with explosives and a detonation mechanism was discovered on the evening of August 4 in the security zone of Leipzig/Halle Airport, between Ukrainian cargo aircraft.

Shortly afterward, a second unidentified flying object collided with a DHL cargo aircraft that had been unable to land because the runway had been closed and was forced to abort its landing.

Merz said on August 30 that the investigation into the incident was nearing completion and that his government had agreed on how to respond.

By Vafa Guliyeva