Explosive-Laden Drone Found Near Ukrainian Aircraft in Leipzig; Trump Rejects Request for Patriot Missiles

An explosive-laden drone was discovered near a Ukrainian transport aircraft at Germany’s Leipzig/Halle Airport, temporarily disrupting flights overnight.

The device was found near a Ukrainian Antonov aircraft. It was equipped with explosive material and a detonator, but did not explode because its activation mechanism had been damaged.

A special bomb-disposal robot was used to neutralize the drone. The investigation is being conducted by German security authorities, with NATO investigators also taking part.

As one of the main logistics hubs for shipments to Ukraine, Leipzig Airport remained closed to air traffic until the early hours of the morning. Several flights were delayed, while an aircraft from Mallorca landed late after operations resumed.

Meanwhile, on the diplomatic front, U.S. President Donald Trump has rejected a request from his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, to send additional Patriot interceptor missiles.

The Financial Times, citing sources close to the talks, reported that Trump said the United States should retain these systems for its own security needs, particularly in view of the situation in the Middle East.

Zelensky has warned that deliveries of air-defense systems have declined significantly. He has called on allies to accelerate supplies in order to protect Ukrainian cities from Russian attacks.

Meanwhile, Russian bombardments of Kyiv have killed at least 17 people and wounded dozens, according to Ukrainian authorities.

The Ukrainian president has accused Moscow of attacking civilians. Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani condemned the bombardment, saying that strikes on urban areas constitute a violation of international law.

Ukrainian forces have also announced that they carried out a drone attack on an industrial area in the Russian city of Ufa. Local authorities said there were no casualties, but the attack caused material damage and a fire in the affected area.

Amid an increase in Ukrainian strikes against targets on Russian territory, President Vladimir Putin has announced the creation of a new structure tasked with protecting the rear areas and coordinating the army’s logistics forces.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict has reached its 1,624th day, while fighting and diplomatic efforts continue without a ceasefire agreement.