Opposition says Russian plane worth $475 million destroyed at Belarus airport

Exiled Belarusian opposition said on Sunday that a Russian plane had been destroyed at an airfield near Minsk in what it called the “most successful act of sabotage” since the conflict in Ukraine began.

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“Partisans (…) have confirmed the success of a special operation aimed at detonating a rare Russian plane at the airfield of Makhulishchi near Minsk,” one of the main advisers of Belarusian opposition figure Svetlana, Franak Viagorka, pointed out on Twitter. Tikanovskaya.

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

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

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

These claims could not be verified from independent sources and the Russian military did not immediately react.

Belarus, Moscow’s only European ally against Kyiv, did not directly take part in the Russian offensive in Ukraine, but ceded its territory to the initial offensive a year ago.

According to Kiev, Moscow is also using Belarusian airfields to attack Ukraine.

Russia and Belarus have stepped up military exercises in recent months, and Ukraine has said it fears Minsk could enter into conflict.