Police seize drone near Ukrainian aircraft at German airport

A drone detected near a Ukrainian Antonov transport aircraft at Germany's Leipzig airport was fitted with an explosive device and a detonator, security sources said on Wednesday, after the discovery disrupted overnight flight operations.

The drone was spotted shortly before midnight and later secured by police. It has since been examined using X-ray equipment, the sources told dpa.

A NATO official confirmed the drone sighting, saying: "We are aware of the incident, which the German authorities continue to investigate."

Earlier, police had said only that several aircraft, including a passenger plane, were diverted after an unidentified flying object was reported near Leipzig/Halle Airport and a suspicious item was found near the southern runway. 

Operations in the airport's northern section resumed shortly before 2 am (0000 GMT) on Wednesday, while the southern runway was still closed as investigations continue.

Local police have launched an investigation in cooperation with Germany's federal police.