The findings come a day after Berlin formally blamed Moscow for the failed attack. German authorities have identified two suspects in connection with an attempted attack by an explosives-laden drone at Leipzig airport, a day after Berlin blamed Russia for the operation, local media reported on Wednesday. The two men – a Russian-born Latvian national and a Belarusian man with a Russian passport – are suspected of involvement in the failed attack on a Ukrainian cargo aircraft in early August, according to a joint investigation by German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung and public broadcasters NDR and WDR. German authorities are unlikely to be able to detain the suspects, however, as both are believed to be outside the country. Russian intelligence links? The Russian-born Latvian is suspected of acting as a logistics coordinator and instructor for the operation and is believed to have links to Russian intelligence, according to the report. He allegedly entered Germany through Berlin Brandenburg Airport in late July and traveled toward Leipzig in a rental car before leaving the country by air two days before the attempted attack. Investigators were led to the second suspect after discovering DNA evidence at the scene, including traces on a drone, Süddeutsche Zeitung reported. The man, a Belarusian national with a Russian passport, is believed to have entered Germany on an Italian-issued tourist visa. “According to official findings, the document was issued at an Italian diplomatic mission in Minsk at the end of April,” the newspaper reported. Italy and Germany are both members of the Schengen area, where a holder of a short-stay visa can generally travel between participating countries without obtaining separate visas. The findings come a day after Germany formally accused Moscow of orchestrating the attempted attack, saying intelligence indicated that those involved were acting on behalf of Russian state agencies. Drone packed with explosives The attempted attack took place on August 4 at Leipzig/Halle Airport, a major cargo hub used to transport military supplies to Ukraine and support NATO logistics. A drone carrying explosives was discovered near a Ukrainian Antonov cargo aircraft. The device failed to detonate and was later defused by police. German authorities said the drone configuration, components, explosives and detonation systems resembled those used in previous Russian hybrid operations. “The federal government therefore concludes that Russia is responsible for the hybrid attack,” Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said on Tuesday. Berlin shuts Russian consulate Germany announced a series of measures against Moscow in response, including the closure of Russia’s consulate in Bonn and the Russian House cultural center in Berlin. Berlin also said it would seek additional EU sanctions and tighter restrictions on Russian nationals entering the country. Russia has denied responsibility. The Leipzig incident fueled concern over suspected Russian sabotage and other hybrid operations across Europe.
