Opposition group, Ukraine behind February attack on Russian military jet – ByPol leader

July 27, BPN. The February attack that damaged the Russian A-50 early warning and control aircraft at an airfield near Minsk was a joint operation by the ByPol resistance group and Ukraine’s security services, said Alaksandar Azaraŭ of the opposition transition cabinet.

ByPol initially claimed responsibility without mentioning the Ukrainian side because Ukraine’s foreign partners would not approve of such operations on the Belarusian territory, he noted.

After the operation, donors cut off funding ByPol because they did not support the act, Azaraŭ said.

Attacks in Belarus from the territory of the European Union can be interpreted as a preparation for war by a foreign state, he explained the donors’ decision, adding that Belarus’ western neighbors prohibit similar operations.

Explosions at the Mačuliščy air base were reported on February 26. A rare and expensive military aircraft, A-50, was said to be damaged.

On March 7, Alaksandar Łukašenka confirmed the attack, calling it an act of terror, and blaming it on Kyiv.

Belarus’ Committee for State Security (KGB) said over 20 people were arrested, including an alleged Ukrainian agent.