Russian plane worth $475m destroyed at airfield in Belarus, opposition says

The Belarusian opposition in exile claimed on Sunday that a Russian plane was destroyed at an airfield near Minsk in what it called “the most successful sabotage operation” since the start of the conflict in Ukraine.

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“The partisans (…) have confirmed the success of a special operation aimed at blowing up a rare Russian plane at the airfield of Matchulishchy, near Minsk”, indicated on Twitter Franak Viacorka, one of the main advisers of Belarusian opposition figurehead Svetlana Tikhanovkaya.

According to Mr. Viacorka, “two Belarusians carried out the operation” using drones. “They have already left the country and are safe,” he added.

He did not specify which Russian aircraft had been targeted, but said the cost of the aircraft was $475 million. According to media close to the opposition, it is an A-50 surveillance and command aircraft.

“I am proud of all Belarusians who continue to resist the hybrid Russian occupation of Belarus and to fight for the freedom of Ukraine,” Ms. Tikhanovskaya said on Twitter.

These assertions were unverifiable from independent sources and the Russian army did not react immediately.

Belarus, Moscow’s only European ally against Kyiv, is not taking a direct part in the Russian offensive in Ukraine, but lent its territory for the initial assault a year ago.

Moscow also uses Belarusian airfields to strike Ukraine, according to Kyiv.

Russia and Belarus have stepped up military exercises in recent months, with Ukraine saying it fears Minsk will enter the conflict.

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