BERLIN — German police launched a major security operation at Leipzig/Halle Airport after a vehicle was suspected of crashing through the perimeter fence near three grounded Russian cargo planes, prompting the closure of the airport’s northern runway, local media reported Sunday.
The suspected breach was discovered shortly before 11 p.m. Saturday when authorities found damage to the airport’s perimeter fence, according to German newspaper BILD.
Police said initial evidence suggested that a vehicle had entered the airport grounds, although searches conducted overnight failed to locate a vehicle or any unauthorized individuals.
“It is highly likely that a vehicle drove through the fence. However, during the search of the grounds that night, neither a vehicle nor any unauthorized persons were found on the premises,” police spokeswoman Therese Leverenz said.
Numerous emergency personnel were deployed to search the airport, with additional officers expected to continue the operation Sunday.
Authorities suspended flight operations on the airport’s northern runway following the incident, while DHL cargo aircraft operating through the Leipzig/Halle hub were redirected to the southern runway.
“Following the security incident, flight operations on the north side of the airport were suspended,” Leverenz told BILD.
The damaged section of the perimeter fence was secured and cordoned off.
The breach occurred near three Russian Antonov An-124 cargo aircraft that have been stationed at Leipzig/Halle Airport since 2022.
The aircraft remain grounded under European Union sanctions imposed on Russia.
The incident marks the second major security alert at the airport in three months.
In early August, an explosive-laden drone was discovered on airport grounds near Ukrainian Antonov cargo aircraft, prompting a security investigation.
The German government subsequently accused Russia of responsibility for the attempted attack.
Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the investigation had established Russian involvement, while German authorities warned of a potential escalation in what they described as Russian hybrid attacks targeting critical infrastructure.
Moscow rejected the allegations.
Authorities have not established whether Saturday’s suspected security breach was connected to the earlier incident.
Source: Saudi Gazette