Opposition claims Russian plane shot down at Belarus airport

The Belarusian opposition in exile called the outburst “A highly successful sabotage operationSince the start of the conflict in Ukraine.

Via Le Figaro with AFP

Posted 02/26/2023 at 23:38Upgrade On 02/26/2023 at 23:40

The Belarusian opposition in exile said on Sunday that the Russian plane had been destroyed at an airfield near Minsk “A highly successful sabotage operationSince the start of the conflict in Ukraine. “Partisans (…) have confirmed the success of a special operation to blow up a rare Russian plane at Machulichy airfield near Minsk.“, he said on Twitter Frank ViagorkaOne of the main advisers of Svetlana Dikhanovskaya, a leading figure in the Belarusian opposition.

According to him, “Two Belarusians led the operation» Use of drones. “They have already left the country and are safe“, he added. He did not specify which Russian aircraft was targeted, but said the cost of the plane was 330 million euros. According to media close to the opposition, it was an A-50 surveillance and command plane.

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“I am proud of all Belarusians who continue to resist the hybrid Russian occupation of Belarus and fight for the independence of Ukraine.“, Svetlana Tikanovskaya indicated on Twitter for her role. These claims could not be verified from independent sources and the Russian military did not immediately react.

Belarus, Moscow’s only European ally against Kiev, did not directly take part in the Russian offensive in Ukraine, but ceded its territory to the initial offensive a year ago. Moscow also uses Belarusian airports Attack Ukraine, according to kyiv.

Russia and Belarus have stepped up military exercises in recent months, and Ukraine has said it fears Minsk could enter into conflict.