NATO has confirmed to the German press agency DPA that a drone was spotted near a Ukrainian aircraft at Leipzig/Halle airport, which is exactly the kind of thing that makes you want to double-check your travel insurance. Flight operations were briefly suspended overnight following the security incident, because nothing says 'safe travels' like an unidentified flying object and a bomb disposal robot.
German tabloid Bild reported that early tests suggest the drone was carrying explosive materials that failed to ignite due to a defective detonator. So, good news: the detonator was defective. Bad news: someone tried to blow up a plane with a defective bomb. It's the thought that counts, we suppose.
DHL Group CEO Tobias Meyer said the logistics firm was studying the overnight incident, which also involved an object clashing with one of its planes near Leipzig. 'We've got plans for cases like this, and we'll try to make sure that the influence on our customers will be as low as possible,' Meyer said during a quarterly results call. Translation: 'We have contingency plans, but please don't ask what they are.'
The Leipzig incident primarily affected cargo planes, but also caused disruptions for passengers, with a Marabu Airlines plane from Mallorca diverted to Nuremberg. Because nothing says 'holiday' like an unscheduled detour to Nuremberg.
German media are stressing that Leipzig is a major hub for deliveries to Ukraine, and the drone was reported near a Ukrainian transport plane. SZ noted the airport is a key hub for arms deliveries to Ukraine, and in 2024, an incendiary device plot was discovered there as part of a suspected Russian sabotage plan. Russia has denied any link, which is a surprise to absolutely no one.
Meanwhile, Lithuanian foreign minister Kęstutis Budrys called Russia 'a terrorist state' after the latest attacks on Kyiv, which killed at least 17 people and injured 44. 'Pure terror. Ukraine needs more air defence - now. Every intercepted missile means lives saved. The only language the Kremlin understands is strength,' he said, presumably while shaking his head at the obviousness of it all.
Overnight Russian attacks also struck Epicentr, Ukraine's largest home improvement and DIY retail chain. Two key logistics facilities and a factory were destroyed within minutes, Reuters reported. 'This is a deliberate attack on Ukrainian manufacturing, logistics, jobs and the country's ability to recover,' Epicentr said in a statement. Because nothing says 'recovery' like having your DIY store blown up.
Iryna Chechotkina, co-founder of online retailer Rozetka, watched as the work of her entire life went up in flames after strikes by three ballistic missiles. We can't imagine the feeling, but we're pretty sure it's not 'zen.'
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen condemned 'horrible atrocities' by Russia, saying, 'Once again we wake up to the news of horrible atrocities by Russia through its aerial attacks on Ukraine. Russia must pay for the destruction it has caused.' She announced plans to use proceeds from immobilised Russian assets, making a further €1.4bn available to Ukraine. Because apparently, the only thing more relentless than Russian missiles is the EU's accounting department.
Ukraine's foreign minister Andrii Sybiha noted that 'Russian strikes take no summer vacation,' which is a bummer for anyone hoping for a seasonal ceasefire. 'Support for Ukraine and pressure on the aggressor must not pause either. Every interceptor counts,' he said, urging partners to expedite decisions and impose tough sanctions.
Ukraine shot down 98 of 115 drones fired overnight, but failed to intercept any missiles, according to preliminary air force stats. Kyiv can handle drones but still relies on allies for missile defense, AFP noted. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that 'ballistic missile interceptors could have saved the lives of those killed today,' adding that delays in deliveries lead to 'terrible casualties and destruction.' Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko warned that 'there may still be people under the rubble.'
Elsewhere, Europe is dealing with record-breaking heat, because why not add a climate crisis to the geopolitical chaos? The Czech city of Plzeň hit an all-time high of 41.5C, and Bratislava recorded an August high of 40.8C. Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia, and Slovenia will all see temperatures in the high 30s to low 40s, worsening drought and energy crunch situations. It's almost as if the universe is trying to tell us something.
Welcome to Europe Live, where the news is hot, the drones are suspicious, and the bombs are defective. Stay tuned for more updates, because this story is far from over.