Discovery and the police response

Security staff at Leipzig/Halle Airport found a damaged section of perimeter fence shortly before 23:00 on Saturday, 17 October, during a routine patrol. The fence runs beside a publicly accessible road and close to an emergency access gate for the fire service. An airport spokesperson said the fence was damaged but the emergency gate was not. Federal police said braking marks suggested a vehicle had driven a few metres into the security zone and back out. Police first described a "security-relevant incident" and investigated in all directions until it was clear whether an accident or sabotage had caused the damage.

“The vehicle driving straight into the area was not observed, but the traces at the scene support that conclusion.”

The Leipzig Police Directorate said on Sunday that its inquiries pointed to a vehicle breaching the fence.

Search and runway closure

The north runway was closed and flights on that side were halted, while the south runway stayed open. Overnight, teams first checked especially vulnerable areas. From Sunday morning, the whole north section was searched by officers, a police helicopter and drone technology. They found no vehicle, no unauthorised persons and no suspicious objects. The north runway reopened at 14:00 on Sunday, 18 October, after aviation security was restored. Passenger and cargo traffic continued without restriction, the airport said, because a second runway was available.

Two men turn themselves in

Two men later turned themselves in to police, and n-tv reported they did so on Sunday evening in the presence of lawyers. Dpa, citing security circles, said the 20-year-old and 32-year-old had been practising for a driving test and lost control of the car. Bild reported the account first. N-tv, citing Bild, added that the 20-year-old had no driving licence and was at the wheel, while the 32-year-old sat in the passenger seat. Police reportedly found the account credible. N-tv said security cameras did not record the incident. Both men are reported to be from Syria.

Antonov aircraft and the August drone

Three Russian Antonov cargo aircraft have stood at Leipzig since 2022 and may not be moved because of EU sanctions against Russia. The airport spokesperson said they also lie in the north area, but not directly beside the damaged section. Six Ukrainian Antonov cargo aircraft are parked in the south area, considerably farther away. The breach recalls an attempted attack on the airport in early August, when a drone rigged with explosives was found near Ukrainian cargo aircraft. N-tv dated that attempt to 4 August. The federal government blamed Russia, which rejects the allegations. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said investigations showed Russian responsibility, and the government warned of further escalating hybrid attacks on critical infrastructure in Germany.