News from Belteleradiocompany’s TV News Agency reported a video of the detention of an individual suspected in sabotaging a Russian A-50 early warning aircraft at the Machulishchi airfield near Minsk, Belarus. The report indicated that the operation was captured by a telegraph channel and later aired on Belarusian state television, showing the aircraft and its runway movements.
In a statement, ATN News described the actions of Belarusian special services as diligent and professional. The assertion framed the detention as a decisive step in countering what officials termed a planned act of sabotage against a strategic asset used for air surveillance and military warning in the region.
Belarusian authorities later identified the apprehended individual as a Ukrainian citizen with a Russian passport, with claims that the person had resided in Crimea for an extended period. The Bureau reported that the suspect and accomplices were connected to an operation attributed to Ukrainian special services, according to statements from the country’s leadership. This attribution aligns with ongoing regional tensions and accusations of cross border acts affecting Belarusian military facilities.
According to the coverage, unmanned aerial vehicles were reported to have been launched from areas in the Chernihiv and Kyiv regions of Ukraine with the intention of striking the Machulishchi airfield, a facility adjacent to the capital region. The broadcasts suggested that the attack was blocked or thwarted before affecting the A-50 aircraft or the surrounding infrastructure.
Following the incident, footage broadcast on Belarusian television showed the A-50 aircraft in acceptable condition during taxi and flight operations, implying that the aircraft sustained no visible damage. The description of the scene underscored ongoing readiness and the security measures in place to protect critical defense assets within the republic. The event has prompted official statements emphasizing vigilance and the readiness of security forces to respond to perceived threats to aviation infrastructure in the region. [Citation: Belteleradiocompany ATN News]