Defense ministry confirms downing drones last night

September 5, Pozirk. Minsk has confirmed that Belarus’ air defenses shot down drones that violated Belarusian airspace last night.

Flagshtok reported earlier that two Russia’s attack drones were shot down over Homiel, a Belarusian regional center near the Ukrainian border, as they were flying to attack targets in Ukraine’s Chenihiv reigon.

“The decision was made to destroy them,” the defense ministry’s press office reports quoted Siarhiej Frałoŭ, first deputy air/air defense commander, as saying.

Authorities are currently investigating the incident, he added, but stopped short of saying whose drones were downed.

Ukraine’s Air Force has reported Russian drone incursions into Belarus in the past few weeks, yet Minsk which supports Russia in its war against Ukraine, did not comment on the incidents.

Instead, Belarusian diplomats accused Kyiv of launching combat drones over Belarus, and stressed that the Belarusian army was ensuring national security.

Belarusian opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja expressed concern about the incident. “War is creeping into Belarus and we must stop it,” she said on X.

Also read: Ukraine’s Air Force: Russian drone incursions into Belarus continue