Official announcements from the Belarusian government or credible news agencies

Belarus Downs Two Russian Shahed Drones Over Gomel in First Successful Interception

Sep 5, 2024, 06:56 AM

Belarusian authorities have confirmed the downing of two Russian attack drones over their airspace near the city of Gomel on September 5. This marks the first instance of Belarusian forces successfully intercepting Russian drones. The drones, identified as Shahed models, were reportedly shot down by the Belarusian Air Force and Air Defense Forces. The incident has been corroborated by monitoring groups and video evidence. Fighter jets were also scrambled in response to the intrusion. The Belarusian Ministry of Defense confirmed the interception but did not disclose the drones' origin. The drones reportedly came from the Chernihiv region. Colonel Sergey Frolov, the Chief of Staff and First Deputy Commander of the Belarusian Air Force and Air Defense Troops, confirmed the violation of Belarusian airspace. The notification system, which has been in place since 2022, failed to alert residents of the incoming drones.