Russia expands Shahed launch infrastructure near Belarus border — Media
Photo: Shahed drone (Getty Images)
New launch sites near Belarus borders
Russia has deployed at least five new facilities intended for launching strike drones near the Belarusian direction.
According to satellite imagery analysis and open-source data, the sites have been identified in the Bryansk region, the Oryol region, and the Smolensk region.
Some of the complexes are located just a few dozen kilometers from the border with Belarus.
One of the largest facilities, near the village of Tsymbulovo in the Oryol region, has been described in Russian sources as one of the largest drone centers in the world.
Attack routes and Belarus’ role
Ukrainian military officials note that a significant number of Russian drones during mass attacks pass through the territory of Belarus or move along the border line.
The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine says this complicates the work of Ukrainian air defense systems. In Belarus itself, regular airspace violations are recorded: according to official data, such incidents occur almost daily, and during certain periods they amount to hundreds of cases.
Photo: Russia is increasing the use of routes along the border with Belarus for drone attacks (https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/bilorus-korydor-dlya-rosiyskykh-atak-dronamy/33778246.html)
Photo: Russia is increasing the use of routes along the border with Belarus for drone attacks (https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/bilorus-korydor-dlya-rosiyskykh-atak-dronamy/33778246.html)
Photo: Russia is increasing the use of routes along the border with Belarus for drone attacks (https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/bilorus-korydor-dlya-rosiyskykh-atak-dronamy/33778246.html)
Photo: Russia is increasing the use of routes along the border with Belarus for drone attacks (https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/bilorus-korydor-dlya-rosiyskykh-atak-dronamy/33778246.html)
Photo: Russia is increasing the use of routes along the border with Belarus for drone attacks (https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/bilorus-korydor-dlya-rosiyskykh-atak-dronamy/33778246.html)
Photo: Russia is increasing the use of routes along the border with Belarus for drone attacks (https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/bilorus-korydor-dlya-rosiyskykh-atak-dronamy/33778246.html)
Monitoring data and expert assessments
According to information from Ukrainian military officials and OSINT researchers, the network of Russian launch and support facilities began expanding rapidly in 2024.
Experts note that placing systems near Belarus reduces drone flight time and allows Russia to adjust strike trajectories toward Kyiv and Ukraine’s western regions.
Military analyst Anatolii Khrapchynskyi believes that such an infrastructure configuration gives Russia additional tactical advantages during attacks.
Expansion of infrastructure and new sites
Among the identified facilities are airfields and specialized complexes, including sites in the Bryansk and Smolensk regions, as well as large UAV storage and launch areas in the Oryol region.
Analysts estimate that some of them are capable of hosting hundreds of drones simultaneously and continue to expand. Part of these sites is used for regular strike UAV launches against Ukraine.
Ukraine’s position
The Ukrainian side emphasizes that it is monitoring the use of cross-border routes for attacks but does not seek to expand the conflict onto Belarusian territory.
According to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Russia is increasingly using tactics of moving drones along the border, which increases pressure on Ukraine’s air defense system and makes interceptions more difficult.
The European Union stated that China participated in the training of several hundred Russian military personnel who were later deployed in combat operations against Ukraine. According to European sources, some of those trained have already been engaged on the front line.
