DNA trace discovered on drone involved in attack on Ukrainian An-124 in Leipzig
Photo: An-124 aircraft (Getty Images)
A DNA trace was found on the explosive-laden drone that attacked a Ukrainian cargo plane at Germany's Leipzig/Halle Airport. The same DNA profile had previously been detected in Lithuania, but its owner has not yet been identified, Die Zeit reports.
What was found on the drone
According to Die Zeit, biological material found on the drone matched a DNA profile that had previously been recorded in Lithuania.
However, the outlet did not specify under what circumstances the DNA trace was discovered there or whether it had been linked to a specific individual.
At this stage, there is no confirmation that the finding has enabled investigators to identify those who carried out or ordered the attack.
Ukrainian aircraft were empty
Die Zeit also reported that the Ukrainian aircraft at Leipzig/Halle Airport were not carrying ammunition at the time of the incident.
This contradicts earlier reports by WDR, NDR and Süddeutsche Zeitung, which cited a confidential police document claiming that one of the An-124 aircraft had been loaded with ammunition.
According to Die Zeit, Germany's Interior Ministry privately denied those claims.
The drone was a specially designed device
Die Zeit previously reported that the explosive-laden drone crashed into the wing of a Ukrainian An-124, but the device failed to detonate.
Explosives were later found some distance away from the drone itself. Investigators have not ruled out the possibility that they became detached during the collision with the aircraft.
According to the outlet, the device was not a commercially available mass-produced drone but a specially built aircraft with a sophisticated design.
It was not detected by conventional drone radar monitoring systems. The drone was carrying Semtex explosives.
As previously reported, additional details have emerged about the incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport: an FPV drone carrying an explosive device collided with a Ukrainian An-124 Ruslan, striking the area of the wing where the fuel tanks are located. No explosion occurred, but the circumstances of the incident are under investigation.
