The missile launched by an S-300 air defense system “coming from Ukrainian territory” fell in the morning on Belarusian territory, according to the Ministry of Defense.
A Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile crashed on Thursday in Belarus, said the authorities of this former Soviet republic allied with Russia and supporting its offensive against Ukraine.
This is the first incident of this type reported by Minsk since the start of the Russian offensive in Ukraine more than 10 months ago, and while Belarus serves as a rear base for Russian forces.
The missile launched by an S-300 air defense system “coming from Ukrainian territory” fell in the morning on Belarusian territory, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Defense.
Two avenues under study
“The Head of State was immediately informed of the incident,” the statement said, adding that the Ministry of Defense and the Belarusian Investigative Committee are in the process of establishing the causes.
“Two main tracks” are being studied: either the missile deviated from its trajectory, falling by mistake in Belarus, or it was shot down by the Belarusian anti-aircraft defense.
A Telegram account close to the authorities, picked up by the state news agency Belta, broadcast photos of missile fragments in a field. Authorities said they had no information about any injuries or damage.
A missile fell in Poland in November
In November, the fall of a missile on a Polish village which killed two people had raised fears that NATO was drawn into the conflict – causing a major escalation – in Ukraine, because Poland is protected by a defense commitment collective of the Atlantic Alliance.
Ukraine accused Russia, but according to the West and Moscow, the missile in question a priori came from a Ukrainian anti-aircraft defense system that had deviated from its trajectory.
