Фото: "Пул первого"
Aliaksandr Lukashenka said that the drone that struck a bus carrying Belarusian children in Russia’s Bryansk region was Ukrainian.
“We are not rushing to draw any conclusions, but we are clearly stating the fact that it was a drone of Ukrainian origin. It was a Ukrainian drone,” he said today at a meeting on adjustments to the Armed Forces construction and development plan for 2026-2030.
Lukashenka was responding to Ukraine’s statement that the attack had been a Russian provocation.
“As the Ukrainians tell us, they gave us an answer to our complaints: ‘Many people buy these drones.’ In other words, it wasn’t us, someone else bought it, or perhaps it was some kind of provocation, even to the extent that it was allegedly the Russians who carried out such a strike. But some things are already known today.
They say that no strikes were carried out in the Bryansk region at that time. But the bus driver himself says that he personally (and probably others as well — the investigation will show) saw not one drone but several that, according to him, were buzzing and flying over the bus.
One of those drones, fortunately not a powerful one, struck the bus. As a result, one person was killed and our children were injured,” Lukashenka said.
According to Lukashenka, there are many conspiracy theories surrounding the case, but Belarus will establish the truth.
“We hear statements, excuses and various versions. But we need the truth. And we are waiting for that truth, or for a real, fair and honest answer from Ukrainian government officials and military personnel. We will establish the truth anyway. That will not be a major problem,” he said.
Lukashenka described the attack on the bus as a provocation and a violation of agreements by “certain states.”
“I have warned more than once (you know this even better than I do in certain areas) that the war is not simply somewhere far away today. It is right behind our fence, as I say, and sometimes even closer. There are foreign wars, but not to the extent we see today. Especially when it is a war on our borders.
Evidence of this includes various kinds of provocations. And not only provocations, but direct violations of agreements and of conduct during wartime by certain states. Such as, for example, the strike on a dormitory in Starobilsk, which resulted in deaths, including children. There was also the drone strike on our bus in the Bryansk region a day and a half ago. As military people, we must understand all aspects of this,” Lukashenka said.
He also warned that any attempt to draw Belarus into the war would end badly.
“If someone is provoking us and trying, as some say, to drag us into the war, I think it will end badly for those trying to do so. We are behaving calmly. Some people do not like the fact that Belarus is a calm state. That is why all this is happening,” he said.
Lukashenka instructed officials to keep the investigation under control.
“This incident must be investigated. Together with the Russians. They are ready to help us,” he said.
Lukashenka also spoke about the need to strengthen protection of the border with Ukraine.
“The southern border is 1,500 kilometers long (you know this, our military personnel are stationed there) and it is more volatile than ever. This is the answer to those military personnel who ask whether we need enhanced protection of the southern border or not. This is the answer. We do. We are military people, and the public supports us so that we can protect them,” he said.