Russia deploys MiG-31 fighter jets to Belarus with ballistic ‘Killjoy’ missiles, according to UK intelligence.
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On July 20, 2021, Russian Sukhoi SU-35S, NATO reporting name: Flanker E, air defence fighters and Mikoyan MIG-29, NATO reporting name: Fulcrum, jet fighter aircraft are displayed at the MAKS-2021 International Aviation and Space Salon in Zhukovskiy, outside of Moscow. Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images Photograph
Western defense sources on Tuesday warned that Russia had “probably certainly” deployed two MiG-31K Foxhound fighter jets and an AS-24 Killjoy ballistic missile in Belarus.
according to the United Kingdom’s defense minister, the deployment of the missile, which has a range of up to 1,200 miles, is the first time Moscow has used one of its restricted Killjoy weapons in Belarus.
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The MiG-31K is “suited to carry” the ballistic missile, but defense experts contend that deploying the weaponry to Belarus will do little to help Russia’s strategic interests in Ukraine.
The intelligence briefing stated that “it continues to waste its advanced long-range weapons against targets of minimal operational importance.” “By basing KILLJOY in Belarus, Russia gains no benefit in terms of attacking additional targets in Ukraine.”
Since first invading Ukraine in February, Moscow has relied on Minsk, utilizing its borders to deploy thousands of troops, firing missiles from Belarusian airspace, and regrouping its forces after being forced to retreat from northern Ukraine.
Western defense experts have been keeping a close eye on Lukashenko’s military plans for months, as he has stationed troops alongside Russian forces on the Ukraine-Belarus border.
Kyiv, on the other hand, has stated repeatedly that it does not expect Minsk will completely engage in the fight alongside Moscow by unleashing invading forces.
Ukrainian leaders, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, have frequently requested improved air defense systems and airplanes from Western partners, as Russia increasingly depends on air-based attacks.
According to Ukraine’s Operational Command South, Russian forces have targeted settlements along the front lines in Mykolaiv and Kherson, where the fierce battle continues.
According to Ukrainian news outlet Pravda, the military stated that “the enemy is conducting aerial surveillance, including the use of combat drones that return to base.” “When Lancet drones are employed for surveillance missions, explosives are also dropped on their target.”
In recent months, Ukraine has kept operational information from the southern regions to a minimum, and strategic progress remains hazy.
On Tuesday, Ukrainian air defense troops shot down two Russian attack helicopters in Kherson and utilized a high-precision hit on a “cluster” of Russian forces in Mykolaiv, according to the southern command.
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