Germany: Russian intelligence behind explosive-laden drone

 

TT-AFP

 

Published 14.17

 

German police search an area near a runway at Leipzig/Halle Airport in early August. Photo: Hendrik Schmidt/AP/TT

Russian intelligence services helped plan the attack involving an explosive-laden drone at Leipzig/Halle Airport in August, according to a report.

German officials have identified a person believed to be involved who is said to belong to the military intelligence agency GRU. The individual is a Russian national—referred to as Oleg Le by the German newspaper *Welt am Sonntag*—whom officials suspect acted as a logistics coordinator for the operation.

This information formed the basis for Berlin's decision to hold Russia responsible and to close the Russian consulate in Bonn and a Russian cultural center in Berlin, according to the newspaper.

Russia has denied any involvement.