Is there threat of invasion from Belarus to Ukraine following rumors about Yak-130? Expert assessment
Illustrative photo: A Yak-130 of Belarus could have violated Ukraine's airspace (Ministry of Defense of Belarus)
A Belarusian Yak-130 airplane could have flown into the territory of Ukraine. But there is no threat that Belarus will take part in hostilities, said aviation expert Anatolii Khrapchynskyi in a commentary to the RBC-Ukraine YouTube channel.
According to Khrapchynskyi, it can be assumed that it was a mistake by the Belarusian pilot, but it is important to keep in mind Russia's attempts to use any tools to create "certain diplomatic pressures."
"Here, without a doubt, it is not just a mistake, but also an attempt to test the reaction, to see if there will be a downing from Ukraine," added the aviation expert.
Moreover, as Khrapchynskyi noted, considering Belarus's receipt of Chinese missiles, there could be a certain idea that an "attack is being prepared" from Belarusian territory.
"But I would emphasize that I do not think Belarus will actively engage in hostilities at this time, and primarily its goal is to be useful to Russia without entering into combat," the expert clarified.
Background
Earlier today, an air alert was declared in the northern regions of Ukraine, as an "aerial target" reportedly crossed the border with Belarus.
Information immediately appeared online that this "aerial target" was a Belarusian Yak-130 training-combat aircraft. Official sources have not yet confirmed these rumors.
At the same time, the Air Forces reported that the fact of violation of Ukrainian airspace from the territory of Belarus could not be established. The cause could be the use of radar jamming.
For more details on why Belarus might have resorted to such provocation, see the material by RBC-Ukraine.
