Germany's political leadership has pointed towards Moscow after a mysterious drone incursion caused unprecedented disruption at Berlin's international airport, leaving approximately 10,000 travellers stranded and sparking major security concerns.
Airport Paralysis
Berlin Brandenburg Airport experienced complete operational shutdown after air traffic controllers detected multiple unidentified drones in restricted airspace. The security breach forced authorities to ground all departing flights and divert incoming aircraft to alternative locations, creating travel chaos that lasted for hours.
Political Accusations
Christian Democratic Union leader Friedrich Merz didn't mince words when addressing the incident, stating authorities "must assume this was a reconnaissance operation by Russia". The strong accusation from Germany's opposition leader adds to growing tensions between Berlin and Moscow amid ongoing geopolitical conflicts.
Passenger Nightmare
The sudden airport closure created scenes of frustration and confusion throughout the terminal. Thousands of passengers found themselves trapped with cancelled flights, missed connections, and minimal information from airport officials. Many were forced to sleep in terminal buildings as alternative travel arrangements proved impossible to secure.
Security Implications
Aviation security experts expressed serious concerns about the ease with which the drones penetrated restricted airspace. "This represents a significant vulnerability in our critical infrastructure protection", noted one security analyst speaking on condition of anonymity.
Ongoing Investigation
German security services have launched a comprehensive investigation into the incident, examining radar data and witness reports to identify the drones' origin and operators. The probe will also assess whether this was an isolated incident or part of a broader pattern of aerial reconnaissance activities.
The disruption comes at a sensitive time for German-Russian relations, with Berlin recently increasing its support for Ukraine amid Moscow's ongoing military operations. Aviation authorities have warned travellers to expect continued delays as the investigation progresses and security protocols are reviewed.
