Chancellor Merz calls for a stop to hybrid warfare after a drone attack on Leipzig airport

Hanover. After the failed drone attack on Leipzig Airport, Chancellor Friedrich Merz urgently called for a stop to “hybrid warfare” against Germany. “Anyone who attacks us must know: We are firmly determined to defend our constitutional state, our democracy, our open society, also the integrity of our territory,” said Merz at a campaign event in Langenhagen near Hanover.

At the beginning of August, a drone loaded with explosives was arrested at Leipzig/Halle Airport near Ukrainian transport planes. The explosives only failed to detonate “by a small coincidence,” said Merz. Two planes nearby were partially fueled. If there had been an explosion, there could have been, in the Chancellor's words, “a major inferno.”

The 70-year-old said that the incident has now been clearly identified and “legally accepted”. The federal government blames Russia for the attempted attack. Russia denies this and accuses Germany of not having provided any evidence so far.

The federal government is now expecting further hybrid attacks from Russia. Hybrid warfare is a combination of military, economic, intelligence and propaganda means. This also includes cyber attacks and disinformation campaigns to influence public opinion, for example before elections.