Germany’s interior minister, Norbert Dobrindt, has warned that hybrid warfare is becoming a ‘daily reality,’ following the discovery of an explosive-laden drone near a Bundeswehr base in Mechernich, western Germany. The drone was detected at around 10 p.m. (2000 GMT) over the base, which houses personnel responsible for maintaining US Patriot air defense systems — these systems are critical in defending Ukraine against Russian aerial attacks, according to German media.

Explosive drone at Leipzig airport

Just two days before the Mechernich incident, a similar explosive-laden drone was found at Leipzig/Halle Airport. Dobrindt described the event as a ‘hybrid attack scenario.’ The drone was discovered on a Ukrainian transport plane, though German government officials have not publicly blamed any country for the incident. However, some lawmakers have pointed to Russia, which has been engaged in a full-scale invasion of Ukraine since 2022.

Responses from Russia and Bulgaria

The Russian Embassy in Berlin has dismissed the Leipzig incident as a ‘fabricated provocation,’ claiming Russia is being accused of hostile actions ‘without the slightest evidence.’ Separately, Bulgaria’s defence ministry said there was no reason to suspect the Mechernich incident was intentional. Ukraine, meanwhile, has said it is working with Bulgarian authorities to clarify the circumstances behind the drone discovery.

Broader concerns in NATO and EU

The incidents have reignited concerns that Russia’s war in Ukraine could increasingly affect neighboring NATO states; Both NATO and the European Union have previously blamed Russia for similar drone sightings, while Russia has consistently denied all such allegations. The growing frequency of such events has prompted officials to reassess the threat of hybrid warfare in the region.