In response, Belarus deployed its air force, which reportedly attempted to shoot down the UAV for the first time.
A Russian Shahed drone crossed from Ukraine into the Yelsk district of Belarus around 3:30 a.m. Subsequently, a Belarusian Air Force fighter jet chased the drone for approximately 20 minutes. Around 3:55 a.m., at least two explosions were heard, and a bright flash was seen in the sky in the Yelsk district of Gomel Oblast.
"This is likely the first recorded instance of a Belarusian Air Force fighter jet attempting to destroy an actual military target in the sky—a Russian Shahed kamikaze drone," noted Belarusian Hajun.
Russia, launched a new mass attack on Ukraine using three guided Kh-59/69 air missiles, two missiles of an unknown type, and 74 Shahed-131/136 strike drones on Aug. 29. According to the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, air defense systems shot down two Kh-59/69 missiles and 60 Shahed drones, while 14 strike UAVs were locally lost or crashed on Ukrainian territory.
Around 15 Shahed drones were shot down over Kyiv and its approaches. Debris was recorded in three districts of the city, but no casualties were reported.
In Cherkasy Oblast, debris from a Shahed drone fell on the premises of an enterprise, causing a fire. Meanwhile, part of Kharkiv was left without power due to the attack.