Drones spotted over German base days after Leipzig bomb incident

Two drones were spotted over a military base in western Germany just days after an explosive-laden device was found at Leipzig airport.

Germany's armed forces (Bundeswehr) confirmed they were seen on Thursday evening at a base in Mechernich, near Bonn, reportedly housing components for US-made Patriot air-defence systems.

A spokeswoman for the Bundeswehr Joint Force Command said military police were deployed to the site before the matter was handed over to local police.

It is the latest instance of drones being spotted near military bases or airports in European nations supporting Ukraine in its war with Russia, on which suspicion has fallen. Moscow has consistently denied any involvement.

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt told newspaper Bild on Sunday that Germany had become a regular target of "destabilising" attacks.

"We're not at war, but we are the daily target of hybrid warfare," he said.

Germany is currently investigating how a drone laden with explosives was able to reach a runway at Leipzig/Halle airport, which is used by Nato, the Germany military and serves as a base for Ukraine's Antonov Airlines.

The Bundeswehr declined to comment on the ongoing investigation when asked by the BBC on Sunday about the suspected origins of the drones spotted above Mechernich.