A drone attack near the Belarusian capital, Minsk, has reportedly damaged a Russian military aircraft, according to exiled opposition figures.
Aliksandr Azarov, the commander of the Belarusian anti-government group BYPOL, claimed responsibility for the Telegram attack.
Near the Machulishchy airbase, the Beriev A-50 early warning aircraft was impacted by multiple explosions.
It comes amid growing cooperation between Moscow and Minsk.
According to BYPOL on Telegram, the attacks harmed the aircraft’s front and central sections, as well as its radar and antenna.
“These were drones. The operation’s participants are Belarusians “Mr. Azarov said.
Advisor to the Belarusian opposition leader Franak Viacorka told that the attack was “creative” and “sophisticated.”
“It was very courageous because Belarusians are in a situation of total terror,” he said.
He added that locals and the military assisted the opposition party in causing damage to the plane.
However, it is impossible to verify the opposition’s account of what occurred.
The Russian and Belarusian defense ministries have yet to issue a public statement regarding the incident.
BYPOL, the organization that has claimed responsibility for the attack on the aircraft, is composed of former law enforcement officers who are now opposed to the office of President Alexander Lukashenko.
The administration of Mr. Lukashenko has designated it a terrorist organization.
While Belarus has not directly intervened in the conflict in Ukraine, Mr. Lukashenko permitted Russian troops to enter Ukraine via Belarus.
In recent months, the two countries have also participated in joint military training exercises.
