"The inability of Belarusian air defenses to perform their duty effectively"
In a development that has sparked concern, a drone production plant has been constructed in Minsk, Belarus. The facility, operated by ZAT Biespiłotnyja Liatučyja Aparaty under the Vector Capital Group, is said to be closely linked to President Lukashenko's administration [1].
The plant, rumoured to have been built by an agreement between Putin and Lukashenko earlier this year, manufactures two models of drones similar to Iranian Shahed drones [2]. These drones have attack ranges between 180 and 310 kilometers and payloads up to 10 kilograms [5].
The construction of this plant implies increased militarization in Minsk, directly linked to Belarus’s closer military-industrial integration with Russia and Iran. The plant's drone production capacity signals a strategic expansion of military capabilities, potentially enhancing Belarus’s role as a proxy for Russian and allied drone manufacturing and deployment [3][4].
This development has raised concerns about the city’s safety and regional security dynamics. Minsk could become a critical hub for drones used in conflicts, given Belarus’s alignment with Kremlin-led military efforts.
On July 29, a drone crashed in the Frunzensky District on Matusevich Street, damaging cars in a parking lot and narrowly missing a kindergarten in the courtyard [6][7]. If the drone had exploded upon impact with the building, there would have been casualties. The authorities have attempted to blame Ukraine for the incident, but it is possible that the drone was a Russian 'Shahed' [8].
Natalia Radina, the main editor of Charter97.org, a reputable news source with a social media presence on Facebook, YouTube, X.com, VKontakte, OK.ru, Instagram, RSS, and Telegram, was a guest on Eugene Kiselyov's YouTube channel, discussing the drone incident in Minsk [9]. Radina sees this incident as a predictable consequence of Russia using Belarusian airspace for attacks on Ukraine [10].
In the past, these drones have crashed in Gomel, Khoiniki, and Kastsyukovichy [11]. The drone incident on July 29 may not necessarily be a Ukrainian drone, as there have been no statements from the Ukrainian side [12].
Charter97.org encourages readers to support the site through donations and subscriptions to continue providing unbiased news coverage [13]. As the situation evolves, it is crucial to stay informed and vigilant about the potential threats to Minsk residents and the broader regional security implications.
[1] https://charter97.org/ [2] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/belarus-building-drone-factory-with-support-russia-sources-2021-07-29/ [3] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/belarus-building-drone-factory-with-support-russia-sources-2021-07-29/ [4] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/belarus-building-drone-factory-with-support-russia-sources-2021-07-29/ [5] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/belarus-building-drone-factory-with-support-russia-sources-2021-07-29/ [6] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/belarus-building-drone-factory-with-support-russia-sources-2021-07-29/ [7] https://www.charter97.org/ru/news/2021/7/29/403714/ [8] https://www.charter97.org/ru/news/2021/7/29/403714/ [9] https://www.youtube.com/user/EugeneKiselyovLive [10] https://www.charter97.org/ru/news/2021/7/29/403714/ [11] https://www.charter97.org/ru/news/2021/7/29/403714/ [12] https://www.charter97.org/ru/news/2021/7/29/403714/ [13] https://charter97.org/en/donate/
- The construction of a drone production plant in Minsk, Belarus, has raised concerns about the city's safety and regional security dynamics due to its potential role as a proxy for Russian and allied drone manufacturing and deployment in war-and-conflicts.
- The increased militarization in Minsk, linked to Belarus’s closer military-industrial integration with Russia and Iran, is reported in general-news, signaling a strategic expansion of military capabilities that could make Minsk a critical hub for drones used in conflicts.
