Belarusian Signal Relays Enabled Russia’s Shahed Strike on Malyn

Drone Incident in Ukraine

According to ХВИЛЯ: On July 15, a guided Shahed jet drone struck a gas station in Malyn, Ukraine, at 7:11 a.m. The drone first traveled along the Belarusian border, reached Korosten, then reversed course and followed a railway line to Malyn. The attack point lies 260 kilometers from Russia’s border. Notably, no other Shahed drones were airborne at the time to serve as signal relays for this operation.

Expert Analysis

Expert Serhiy Flesh Beskrestnov suggested that Russia may be using relay stations stationed in Belarus to direct strikes on Ukraine. However, he noted that Russian relays in Belarus ceased functioning on June 22.

“This behavior is typical of manual drone control via camera,”

he commented. Beskrestnov added that Russia aims to conduct online-controlled Shahed drone strikes on Western Ukraine, but without Belarusian relays, this becomes harder to execute.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gave Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko one week to dismantle such equipment. The expert stressed that final conclusions about the incident will be drawn by specialized agencies after thorough investigation.

“Whether Lukashenko can resist persistent requests for relays, I don’t know,”

said Serhiy Flesh Beskrestnov. He also noted that equipment could be installed without the Belarusian authorities’ knowledge.

This incident highlights the growing threat from unmanned aerial vehicles in the context of the war in Ukraine and Russia’s efforts to deploy new technologies for combat. The drone attack may signal a shift in Russian military tactics, as well as potential risks to Ukrainian critical infrastructure. The importance of controlling relay stations on Belarusian territory and their impact on the effectiveness of Russian strikes remains a focus of active research and analysis by Ukrainian military and relevant agencies.

This incident underscores the urgency of addressing the control of relay stations, particularly in Belarus, as evidenced by President Zelensky's recent actions to ensure their shutdown. The implications of such measures on the effectiveness of Russian drone operations are significant. For a deeper understanding of how these developments impact military strategies, you can read more about Zelensky's efforts regarding the shutdown of signal relays used by Russian drones.