French authorities have issued a security alert, warning that they must prepare for the possibility of Russian-backed drone attacks following recent incidents involving explosives found at a German airport.

Celine Berton, head of France's General Directorate for Internal Security (DGSI), sounded the alarm during a business forum held on the 26th local time, suggesting that local defense and technology companies could also become direct targets.

Regarding the high alert triggered on the 4th of this month when a drone carrying explosives was discovered at Leipzig/Halle Airport in eastern Germany, Berton pointed out that the target appeared to be aircraft supporting the Ukrainian military. She emphasized that this is a signal that they must consider the possibility of increasingly direct and violent actions taking place on their own soil.

Berton noted that these threats are of the most direct concern to France's defense and tech industries, and more broadly, to strategic sectors including energy and telecommunications.

However, she did not directly mention who was behind the threat during her remarks that day.

At the same time, she explained to business leaders attending the forum that so-called hybrid threats have surged since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

These hybrid threats include cyber intrusions and attacks involving local operatives.

Reuters noted that such public remarks by the head of France's intelligence agency are considered unusual.

This statement also aligns with the warning issued the previous day by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

In his remarks on the 25th, Chancellor Merz announced that he would soon reveal who was behind the attempted drone attack at the airport.

Leipzig/Halle Airport serves as a conduit for military supplies heading to Ukraine. With explosives found at German airports for the third time just this month, NATO member countries are on high alert over the possibility of Russian sabotage.

Russia has completely denied allegations that it is behind the incidents.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)