Ended · 4 Sep 2026
Secret weapons cache found near Berlin
21 Aug 2026 – 4 Sep 2026 · 11 chapters · 51 updates
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How this story unfolded
Chapter 1Secret weapons cache found near Berlin
- 21 Aug
Federal Prosecutor investigates secret weapons cache found near Berlin as suspect is arrested in Romania under suspicion of Russian intelligence links.
rtl.de (opens in a new tab)n-tv.de (opens in a new tab)euronews.com (opens in a new tab)
Suggests investigators believe the cache was intended for Russian-backed attacks on German soil, escalating the scope of the ongoing probe.
No source was given for this update.
Confirmed investigators link the Berlin weapons cache to specific attack planning, marking a shift from suspicion to formal evidence of a plot.
No source was given for this update.
Identified Russian agents as the intended users of the Berlin weapons cache, as federal prosecutors launch a formal investigation into the state-linked plot.
No source was given for this update.
Arrested a suspect in Romania linked to the Russian-backed weapons cache discovered near Berlin, as authorities expand the investigation into the state-linked plot.
No source was given for this update.
Suspects involvement of foreign powers in the Berlin weapons cache, as the Federal Prosecutor launches a formal investigation into potential state-sponsored sabotage.
No source was given for this update.
Confirms German intelligence that Moscow hid the weapons specifically for planned attacks, escalating the investigation from potential sabotage to active terror plotting.
No source was given for this update.
Chapter 2Leipzig airport drone investigation
- 25 Aug
Find third drone and 50 grams of suspected explosives near Leipzig/Halle airport as federal investigators expand their probe
independent.ie (opens in a new tab)dw.com (opens in a new tab)rtbf.be (opens in a new tab)
Confirms investigators that a major attack was planned at Leipzig airport after a second explosive drone was discovered, prompting political warnings of a serious threat.
No source was given for this update.
Reveals a third explosive-laden drone discovered at Leipzig airport, escalating the investigation into the attempted attack.
No source was given for this update.
Identified potential perpetrators behind the Leipzig drone attack, with German opposition leader Merz vowing they will face consequences for the hybrid assault.
No source was given for this update.
Discovered a second drone at Leipzig airport, expanding the scope of the ongoing investigation into the hybrid attack.
No source was given for this update.
Recovered a third drone and suspected military explosives near Leipzig airport, escalating the investigation into the hybrid attack.
No source was given for this update.
Chapter 3Germany prepares Russia blame over Leipzig
- 29 Aug
Berlin prepares to formally accuse Russia of the Leipzig drone incident, with Chancellor Merz planning to announce sanctions next week.
dw.com (opens in a new tab)berliner-zeitung.de (opens in a new tab)noz.de (opens in a new tab)1news.az (opens in a new tab)
Chapter 4Brandenburg substation sabotage probe
- 1 Sep
Police investigate unexploded devices at a power substation in Turnow-Preilack, with all power lines now back in operation.
br.de (opens in a new tab)bt.dk (opens in a new tab)srf.ch (opens in a new tab)focus-news.net (opens in a new tab)scmp.com (opens in a new tab)
Chapter 5German power substation sabotage probe
- 1 Sep
Police neutralize improvised explosive devices found at a power substation near Turnow-Preilack, restoring all transmission lines.
infobae.com (opens in a new tab)24chasa.bg (opens in a new tab)
Classifies the incident as attempted sabotage after government officials confirmed the explosive devices were intended to disrupt critical energy infrastructure.
No source was given for this update.
Revealed a double-digit number of explosive devices were discovered at the Jänschwalde substation, with officials identifying the nearby coal plant as a potential target.
No source was given for this update.
Chapter 6Germany blames Russia for drone attack
- 1 Sep
Berlin attributes the August 4 drone attack at Leipzig airport to Russia and orders the closure of the Russian Consulate General in Bonn.
english.news.cn (opens in a new tab)scmp.com (opens in a new tab)news.liga.net (opens in a new tab)
Escalate diplomatic pressure as France, Italy, and Greece back new EU sanctions against Russia following the hybrid attack in Leipzig.
No source was given for this update.
Threatens Russia with retaliation after Germany's accusations, while NATO and the EU form a united front to support Berlin following the Leipzig drone attack.
No source was given for this update.
Warns Moscow of retaliation against Germany, escalating tensions as the Kremlin dismisses the drone attack accusations as absurd.
No source was given for this update.
Vow NATO and EU allies to respond collectively to the drone attack in Leipzig, as Germany formally identifies the explosives as Russian-made.
No source was given for this update.
Chapter 7EU response to Leipzig drone incident
- 1 Sep
Germany formally attributes the August 4 attempted drone attack at Leipzig Airport to Russia, prompting EU and NATO leaders to pledge solidarity and plan retaliatory measures
lemonde.fr (opens in a new tab)newsnationnow.com (opens in a new tab)it.euronews.com (opens in a new tab)vecernji.hr (opens in a new tab)ethnos.gr (opens in a new tab)clarin.com (opens in a new tab)rbc.ua (opens in a new tab)aa.com.tr (opens in a new tab)
- 2 Sep
Von der Leyen calls the Leipzig drone incident state-sponsored terrorism as EU ministers meet to discuss response measures against Russia.
aa.com.tr (opens in a new tab)observador.pt (opens in a new tab)gp.se (opens in a new tab)stirileprotv.ro (opens in a new tab)
Chapter 8German substation sabotage investigation
- 2 Sep
Police investigate suspected sabotage at a power substation in Bergheim near Cologne, following a similar incident in Brandenburg.
fr.de (opens in a new tab)deutschlandfunk.de (opens in a new tab)
Chapter 9Germany substation sabotage probe
- 2 Sep
Police investigate suspected sabotage after finding explosive devices near a power substation in Brandenburg, searching the area for further evidence.
adn.com (opens in a new tab)br.de (opens in a new tab)zeit.de (opens in a new tab)abc.es (opens in a new tab)abcnyheter.no (opens in a new tab)
Opened an antiterrorism investigation into the substation sabotage, as authorities weigh potential involvement by foreign states or extremist groups.
No source was given for this update.
Classified the substation sabotage as a potential act of unconstitutional sabotage, with officials warning that the attack targets the nation's critical infrastructure.
No source was given for this update.
Discovered launch devices at the Bergheim substation, marking a significant escalation in the investigation into the sabotage of critical infrastructure.
No source was given for this update.
Confirmed two separate attacks on the power grid occurred on the same day, expanding the scope of the sabotage investigation beyond the Bergheim incident.
No source was given for this update.
Ruled out sabotage in Hesse, according to the Interior Minister, narrowing the scope of the ongoing power grid investigation.
No source was given for this update.
Summoned the German envoy following the ongoing investigation into suspected power substation sabotage, escalating diplomatic tensions with Russia.
No source was given for this update.
Discovered six launch devices at the site of the sabotaged German power substation, providing concrete evidence for the ongoing investigation.
No source was given for this update.
Attacked a second power substation in a series of sabotage incidents, expanding the scope of the ongoing investigation in Germany.
No source was given for this update.
Expanded the sabotage investigation to North Rhine-Westphalia as authorities report a rising frequency of attacks on critical power infrastructure across Germany.
No source was given for this update.
Confirmed the sabotage at NRW and 50Hertz substations as investigators link the attacks to previous incidents, marking a coordinated escalation against power infrastructure.
No source was given for this update.
Chapter 11EU response to Leipzig airport attack
- 2 Sep
Germany blames Russia for the Leipzig airport drone incident as EU officials pledge new sanctions and diplomatic measures.
Identified two suspects in the Leipzig airport drone attack, German authorities report, as Moscow summons the German envoy in retaliation for the accusations.
No source was given for this update.
Condemns Emmanuel Macron the Leipzig drone incident as a form of hybrid warfare, while Ursula von der Leyen warns the attack signals a new reality for European security.
No source was given for this update.
Identified two suspects with links to Russia in the Leipzig drone attack investigation, as authorities highlight the site's strategic importance to European security.
No source was given for this update.
Blamed Russia officially for the Leipzig drone attack, as EU and NATO members pledge support for German measures against Moscow following the identification of two suspects.
No source was given for this update.
Summons the German representative in Moscow in retaliation for Berlin's measures, as tensions escalate following the identification of two Russian suspects.
No source was given for this update.
Closes the Russian House in Berlin, an institution labeled as a Putin enclave, as Germany escalates its response to the recent airport attack.
No source was given for this update.
Condemn European ministers the recent sabotage in Germany as state-sponsored terrorism, marking a significant escalation in the EU's diplomatic stance against Russia.
No source was given for this update.
Identified German authorities two suspects holding Russian passports in connection to the Leipzig drone attack, moving beyond initial condemnation to specific attribution.
No source was given for this update.
Formalizes the accusation as the German government officially blames Russia for the Leipzig drone incident, prompting a rejection of potential sanctions from Putin.
No source was given for this update.
Identifies two suspects with Russian passports linked to the Leipzig hybrid attack, escalating the investigation beyond the initial government accusation.
No source was given for this update.
Summons Russian envoys and considers new sanctions as the EU escalates its diplomatic response to the Leipzig drone attack.
No source was given for this update.
Identified two suspects with Russian passports linked to the Leipzig drone attack as the EU struggles to deter ongoing hybrid warfare.
No source was given for this update.
Chapter 12Diplomatic fallout over Leipzig drone incident
- 3 Sep
Romania and the UK summon Russian diplomats, expressing solidarity with Germany over the Leipzig airport drone incident as Moscow rejects the accusations.
thehindu.com (opens in a new tab)bfm.ru (opens in a new tab)vijesti.me (opens in a new tab)tass.com (opens in a new tab)
Articles in this story
- Germany uncovers hidden weapons cache near Berlin tied to suspected Russian plots
- Merz warns hybrid attackers will pay after explosive drones target Leipzig airport
- Investigators find additional drone and hexogen explosives linked to Leipzig airport attack
- Germany blames Russia for Leipzig airport drone plot and closes consulate as Moscow retaliates
- Germany prepares to blame Russia for Leipzig airport drone attack and roll out new sanctions
- German police arrest suspect after rocket sabotage attacks on electricity grid
- German police probe power grid sabotage after attacks cut 4,200 MW from power plants
- Explosives Target Transformer Substation Near Jänschwalde Power Plant in Brandenburg
- Germany blames Russia for Leipzig airport drone plot and shuts Bonn consulate
- Germany blames Russia for Leipzig airport drone attack and shuts Bonn consulate
Sources
Publishers the updates cite.
aa.com.tr, Bayerischer Rundfunk, Deutsche Welle, scmp.com, 1news.az, 24chasa.bg, ABC, abcnyheter.no, adn.com, Berliner Zeitung, bfm.ru, bt.dk, clarin.com, deutschlandfunk.de, english.news.cn, ethnos.gr, euronews.com, focus-news.net, fr.de, gp.se, infobae.com, Irish Independent, it.euronews.com, Le Monde.fr, N-tv, news.liga.net, newsnationnow.com, noz.de, Observador, rbc.ua