Latvia Confirms Help in Leipzig Drone Case, Says Suspect Lived in Russia for Years

Latvia's security authorities have broken their silence over media reports that name two people in connection with the attempted drone attack on Leipzig/Halle Airport. On Thursday, officials confirmed that one Latvian citizen on the investigators' radar had actually been living in Russia for several years.

The Latvian security police (VDD) said in a statement to the national news agency LETA that they are working with German investigators and offering full support. The statement was released after several German outlets, including NDR, WDR and Süddeutsche Zeitung, reported that federal prosecutors had zeroed in on two suspects. Germany's Federal Public Prosecutor's Office has declined to comment on those reports so far.

According to the German reporting, one of the two suspects is believed to hold both Latvian and Russian passports. This latest disclosure adds another layer to an already tense investigation, which has become a diplomatic flashpoint between Berlin and Moscow.

German authorities discovered a drone outfitted with professional-grade explosives and a detonator on the grounds of Leipzig airport at the beginning of last month. The Federal Public Prosecutor's Office is leading the investigation on suspicion of attempted detonation of an explosive device. Berlin has pointed the finger at Russia, accusing it of orchestrating the plot, while Moscow has firmly denied any involvement.

Security analysts say that if Russian involvement is confirmed, the incident would mark a significant escalation in hybrid warfare against German infrastructure, as airports are particularly sensitive targets with tight airspace restrictions and heavy passenger traffic. However, with the investigation still in its early stages and the suspects yet to be formally identified, further details about the drone's origin and the intended target remain unclear.