Russia uses Belarus to route Shahed drones to Ukraine — Air Force
Russia uses Belarus for Shahed drone flights (photo: Getty Images)
Russian forces use Belarus and several neighboring countries for flights of their attack drones to Ukraine, said Head of Communications of Ukrainian Air Force Command Yurii Ihnat.
"The enemy uses the territory of Moldova, unrecognized Transnistria, Romania, and Belarus for flights, in particular, this is already a fact. We have repeatedly reported that Russian drones even head not through the territory of Ukraine, bypassing potential zones where their drones could be hit," Ihnat said.
He also noted that in Belarus, there may be certain towers, retransmitters that can help the enemy control their assets.
"We have often seen drones flying one after another to our western regions, right along the border with Belarus. To make them more resistant to electronic warfare suppression, so that more assets can get through, the enemy may likely use the assistance of a neighboring state, so drones can reach without obstacles," added the Head of Communications of Ukrainian Air Force Command.
Ihnat also added that he does not have information about which exact control points are located in Belarus, but noted that Ukrainian intelligence likely knows more.
What preceded
Earlier, several media outlets reported that Russia plans to create bases on the territory of Belarus for launching long-range drones, which will increase the threat to Ukraine.
At the same time, adviser to the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Serhii Beskrestnov (call sign Flash) stated that information was distorted and noted that it was only about four control points for Shahed drones at long distances, but Ukraine destroyed these antennas. At the same time, there is information that they may repeat this experience.
Ukrainian hackers secretly monitored Russian drone operators for more than six months and collected evidence of the use of Belarusian territory for attacks on Ukraine.
Earlier, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy hinted at conducting operations to destroy towers used to guide Shahed drones on the territory of Belarus. According to him, Ukraine did everything so that three or four of them are already gone.
