On August 4, 2026, at Leipzig Airport in Germany, an attempted sabotage involved drones carrying explosives crashing into Ukrainian cargo airplanes. The explosions failed to detonate, but the act forced the airport to suspend flights. Germany's government accused Russia of orchestrating the attack through its military intelligence service GRU. A Latvian citizen, Oļegs Ļevuškins, with long-standing business ties in Russia and contacts with the GRU, has been identified by investigative journalists and German authorities as one of the potential organizers of the sabotage. Latvian State Security Service confirmed initiating procedures to revoke Ļevuškins's Latvian citizenship, citing his involvement and that Latvia prohibits dual citizenship with Russia. Investigations uncovered that Ļevuškins coordinated Belarusian operatives controlling the drones, although he reportedly did not pilot them himself. His possession of a Latvian passport facilitated freer movement within Europe, making him valuable for Russian special operations. After the attempt, Ļevuškins possibly fled to Russia. His business interests in Russia continue, including companies in trade and real estate, one even registered in occupied Sevastopol. The incident highlights Russia's strategic use of individuals with EU citizenship to evade stricter border controls and carry out covert sabotage in Europe.

On August 4, 2026, at Leipzig Airport in Germany, an attempted sabotage involved drones carrying explosives crashing into Ukrainian cargo airplanes. The explosions failed to detonate, but the act forced the airport to suspend flights. Germany's government accused Russia of orchestrating the attack through its military intelligence service GRU. A Latvian citizen, Oļegs Ļevuškins, with long-standing business ties in Russia and contacts with the GRU, has been identified by investigative journalists and German authorities as one of the potential organizers of the sabotage. Latvian State Security Service confirmed initiating procedures to revoke Ļevuškins's Latvian citizenship, citing his involvement and that Latvia prohibits dual citizenship with Russia. Investigations uncovered that Ļevuškins coordinated Belarusian operatives controlling the drones, although he reportedly did not pilot them himself. His possession of a Latvian passport facilitated freer movement within Europe, making him valuable for Russian special operations. After the attempt, Ļevuškins possibly fled to Russia. His business interests in Russia continue, including companies in trade and real estate, one even registered in occupied Sevastopol. The incident highlights Russia's strategic use of individuals with EU citizenship to evade stricter border controls and carry out covert sabotage in Europe.