A failed sabotage attempt involving an explosive-laden drone at Leipzig Airport on August 4, is linked by international investigators to a wider Russian campaign of hybrid warfare across Europe. British newspaper The Telegraph identified the suspected organizer of the operation as Russian national Oleg Levushkin, while German media previously reported on the suspect using law enforcement sources without naming him. This reporting followed a joint investigation with Welt am Sonntag, using materials from European security services. The Leipzig incident follows a pattern of covert operations that European officials attribute directly to Russian military intelligence.
Leaked Data Links Businessman to Russian Intelligence Officer
Leaked data examined by the independent Russian publication Agentstvo indicates that Oleg Levushkin lived in Riga until at least 2018 before moving to Russia’s Pskov region in 2019 and later to Sevastopol. According to the SPARK business database, he is a co-owner of one company in Sevastopol and two others in Pskov. According to Süddeutsche Zeitung, cited by The Telegraph, Levushkin met Denis Smolyaninov in 2007 when Smolyaninov mediated a financial dispute involving Levushkin’s business. Smolyaninov holds the rank of colonel within the GRU, Russia’s military intelligence agency, where he leads a department of the Special Activities Service focused on overseas sabotage operations. Levushkin allegedly arrived in Germany via Turkey at the end of July. He rented a car at Berlin Brandenburg Airport on July 27, and the vehicle was seen in the Leipzig/Halle airport area on July 31, which investigators suggest was preliminary reconnaissance. Levushkin may have handled logistics and site reconnaissance, while security sources believe explosives entered Germany through Serbia and Bulgaria.
Andrei Karshakov Identified as Leipzig Airport Saboteur
The Leipzig attack involved a drone with explosives found near a Ukrainian An-124 transport aircraft at Leipzig/Halle airport, a major cargo hub used for military transport and supplies to Ukraine. The explosive device did not detonate and was defused by specialists. Investigators also discovered traces of two more drones.
Connection to Military Unit 29155 and Prior Sabotage Operations
The Telegraph reported that the Leipzig sabotage attack is linked to military unit 29155. This unit is recognized for two former GRU officers, Alexander Mishkin and Anatoly Chepiga, who used the aliases Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov to carry out sabotage in the Czech Republic and are accused of poisoning Yulia and Sergei Skripal. The unit has been part of the Special Activities Service since 2023. Similar explosive devices—specifically tin cans containing hundreds of grams of explosives and stamped metal plates—were recovered by police investigators from caches in Lithuania, pointing to a broader Russian intelligence mission across Europe. On August 20, 2024, Lithuanian police found two tin cans labeled as corn at a Kaunas cemetery following a sensitive tip from Poland about a Ukrainian man depositing explosives for Russian intelligence. Forensic analysis showed they held 968 grams of explosives, with roughly 700 grams of TNT equivalent per can, similar to the force of four hand grenades. In January and June 2025, more explosive-filled cans were found in Lithuania, some with metal plates intended as projectiles.
Diplomatic Fallout and German Sanctions Over Leipzig Sabotage
In response, Germany blamed Russia for the Leipzig plane sabotage attempt, expelled diplomats, and restricted visas. Moscow denies any involvement in the incident. Meanwhile, European security officials view the Leipzig drone attack as part of an escalating campaign of sabotage and violence planned and coordinated by Russian intelligence officers across the continent. Germany called the act part of “Russian hybrid operations,” while Brussels stated it had “all the hallmarks of state-sponsored terrorism.”
Frequently Asked Questions About the Leipzig Airport Sabotage Investigation
When did the sabotage attempt occur at Leipzig Airport?
The incident occurred on August 4, at Leipzig/Halle airport when a drone laden with explosives was discovered near a Ukrainian transport aircraft.
Which Russian military intelligence unit is linked to the attack?
The Telegraph reported that the sabotage attack is linked to military unit 29155, which operates under Russia’s GRU Special Activities Service.
How did European authorities respond to the incident?
In September, Germany officially attributed the plane sabotage attempt to Russia, expelled diplomats, and imposed restrictions on visas.
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