Belarus Leader Confirms February Attack on Russian Military Aircraft by Partisans

A Russian Beriev A-50 airborne early warning and control training aircraft flies over Red Square during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia, on May 7, 2019. Alexander Zemlianichenko/ AP Photo

An alleged drone attack that reportedly damaged a Russian A-50 surveillance military aircraft at an airfield near the Belarus capital of Minsk on Feb. 26 was carried out by Belarusian anti-government activists, officials confirmed.

“The security service of Ukraine, the leadership of the CIA, behind closed doors, are carrying out an operation against the Republic of Belarus,” Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said on March 7, according to the country’s official news agency, Belta.