Minsk 16:27

Łukašenka acknowledges Russian drone incursions into Belarus

(Screenshot of the televised event)

September 17, Pozirk. Western intelligence agencies view Belarus as a possible site of escalation, Alaksandar Łukašenka told a big rally in Minsk on National Unity Day.

The United States has instructed Kyiv to attack infrastructure in southern Belarus “if circumstances arise,” he said. “Reason: Russian drones flying near Belarusian territory.”

“I must openly tell you that we have agreed with the Ukrainians not to highlight Russian and Ukrainian drone incursions into our territory in the media,” he said.

Łukašenka admitted that combat drones occasionally fly into Belarus, and that one was detected “as far as Babrujsk.”

“These were Ukrainian drones, not Russian ones, although it comes from the other side too,” he said.

He warned “adversaries” against attacking his country. In his opinion, this would trigger World War III.

The defense monitoring group Biełaruski Hajun reported drone incursions into Belarus in July, August and September as the Russians targeted Ukraine.

In the night of September 4–5, Belarusian air defenses downed several drones over Homiel.

Debris fell on a warehouse, but no one was hurt. The defense ministry acknowledged the incursion, without naming the country operating the drones. Biełaruski Hajun said these were Russian drones on their way to attack Ukraine.

Also read: Monitoring group records at least eight Shahed incursions into Belarus

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