On the night of September 2, explosions were heard in the Belarusian city of Gomel, as reported by local channels. Around 1:30 a.m., residents of Gomel heard loud explosions that caused a considerable stir on social media. Prior to this, the monitoring channel “Belaruski Hayun” reported that two Russian drones of the “Shahed” type crossed the border from the Chernihiv region of Ukraine and entered Belarusian airspace.
Drone Interception
According to the channel, the Belarusian Air Force immediately responded to the incident by sending two fighter jets into the sky to neutralize the drones. The explosions occurred shortly after, although the exact reasons have not been officially confirmed yet. Based on videos circulated on social media, fire traces were seen in the sky, presumably belonging to the downed “Shahed” drone.
“Shahed” Drones in Belarusian Airspace
Russian kamikaze drones “Shahed” began entering Belarusian territory in the summer of 2023. They are being used by Russia to strike critical infrastructure and military objects in Ukraine. This information is reported by the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the monitoring project “Belaruski Hayun.” The “Shahed” drones, of Iranian origin, are part of Russia’s arsenal in the war against Ukraine and are frequently used for long-distance attacks.
The project “Belaruski Hayun” has previously documented similar incidents where drones of this type entered Belarusian territory and exploded in its airspace. The explosions in Gomel are likely one of such cases. This has raised concerns among the local population, as the presence of Russian military objects and equipment in Belarus is increasing, making the country more vulnerable to such incidents.
Military-Political Context
The involvement of Belarus in military operations on the side of Russia is a sensitive issue for the Belarusian government. Despite officially not participating in combat actions against Ukraine, its territory is actively used by Russian forces for missile launches, exercises, and technical support of military operations. Explosions in Gomel may be further evidence that Belarus is becoming increasingly involved in military confrontation on the side of Russia, even if it is happening without direct involvement of its armed forces in the conflict.
Public Reaction
Local residents react with alarm to such events, as they show that the war is getting closer to their homes. While official sources in Belarus try not to disclose many details about such incidents, social media and independent sources continue to publish evidence of growing military activity in the country.
