The downing of Russian drones in Belarusian airspace could provoke a harsh response from Putin.
The directive from self-proclaimed Belarusian President Oleksandr Lukashenko to shoot down drones in Belarusian airspace, regardless of their origin, may trigger a sharp reaction from his Russian counterpart, Volodymyr Putin.
This opinion was expressed by Belarusian opposition leader Pavel Latushko in a comment to "Kanal 24."
According to Latushko, there are already tactical conflicts between Putin and Lukashenko. The Kremlin's leader is particularly displeased that Belarus has withdrawn part of its troops from the border with Ukraine.
In response, Moscow issued an ultimatum to Belarus: oil will only be provided on a prepayment basis. Additionally, the Russian Ministry of Defense, which requested weapons from Belarus, is refusing to pay for them until Lukashenko returns troops to the Ukrainian border.
The downing of Russian drones in Belarusian airspace could lead to even harsher measures from Putin.
"Putin might say there will be no Belarusian milk or meat in Russian stores, oil will be on prepayment terms, and gas prices will rise. Right now, they [Putin and Lukashenko] are pulling the rope in a tug-of-war to see who gives in first," the Belarusian opposition leader explained.
Latushko also emphasized that due to Russian drones entering Belarusian territory, Belarusians should seek shelter, as debris from downed drones could cause harm.
Read also:
- "Air defense systems – an unwavering priority": key points from Zelenskyy's address
- In Kherson, a Russian drone dropped an explosive on a minibus: many injured
- What’s happening near the border: Ukrainian State Border Guard Service explains activity in Belarus
- Iranian missile deliveries to Russia: radical response proposed by Ukrainian Presidential Office