3 Feb 2022 11:36

Belarusian Foreign Ministry protests against Ukrainian drone in Belarusian airspace

MINSK. Feb 3 (Interfax) - The Belarusian Foreign Ministry has summoned the Ukrainian ambassador to protest against an alleged Ukrainian drone flight, the ministry press service said on Thursday.

"Ukrainian Ambassador to Belarus Ihor Kyzym was summoned to the Foreign Ministry on February 3, 2022, and a strong protest was voiced in connection with a purposeful launch of an unmanned aerial vehicle from Ukraine into the territory of Belarus," the press service said.

The ministry said that the Ukrainian drone illegally crossed into Belarus on January 24. It was seen flying in Belarusian airspace and forced to land by the Belarusian Armed Forces.

"An analysis of data from the drone systems shows that it was launched from Ukrainian territory to accomplish an illegal reconnaissance mission over the Brestsky range [one of the ranges to host the joint Russian-Belarusian exercise]," the ministry said.

"The Ukrainian side was informed that, by taking such unfriendly steps, it intentionally provoked an escalation of tensions in the region to the detriment of civilized bilateral dialogue. The Belarusian side demanded that no such destructive actions be taken in the future," the ministry said.