Aviation Scrambled in Belarus Over Russian Hybrid Drones 'Banderol'; 12 UAVs Entered Airspace
Several Ukrainian monitoring channels immediately reported that on the morning of August 22, at least 12 Russian 'Banderol' drones entered Belarusian territory, as noted by 'Svaboda'. According to information from Ukrainian channels, a military aircraft was scrambled from Baranavichy airfield. At the same time, there is no information on how the Russian drones were neutralized — whether they were shot down or impacted by electronic warfare means.
Directions of Russian Drone Movement
According to the Telegram channel 'Rynda monitoryt', the 'Banderol' drones began moving towards Belarus from 4 AM. Information about the first drone, which flew in the direction of the village of Chykalavichy, Brahin district, Homiel region, liquidated after the Chernobyl disaster, appeared at 04:01.
At 04:04 — towards the village of Ulasy, Baranavichy district, Brest region.
At 04:06 and 04:15 — two 'Banderol' drones — towards Naroulya (Homiel region). One of them immediately set course for Mazyr.
Information about a drone heading for Pietrykaŭ (Homiel region) appeared at 04:24.
A 'Banderol' drone in the direction of the agro-town Skryhalau (Brahin district, Homiel region) was recorded at 04:28.
At 04:28 — another drone towards Pietrykaŭ, at 04:36 — towards Radkaŭ, Pietrykaŭ district, Homiel region, and at 04:41 — towards Kapatkievicy, Pietrykaŭ district.
At 04:45, information appeared about a 'Banderol' drone moving towards the town of Azarychy, Kalinkavichy district, Homiel region. According to Ukrainian monitoring, it was there that a Su-30 fighter jet was scrambled.
Two hours later — at 06:22 — information appeared about a Russian drone in the Yelsk area (Homiel region), and at 06:30 — towards Mazyr.
Another Ukrainian monitoring channel reported a drone in the area of the Ptych river at 04:33 and in Kapatkievicy at 04:40 (presumably the same drone that the first channel reported at 04:41).
According to the channel 'YeRadar', at 04:42 another military aircraft took off from the airfield in Baranavichy.
Details of Russian 'Banderol' Drones
'Banderol' drones are a hybrid of a small cruise missile and a jet-powered strike drone. It has a speed of up to 650 kilometers per hour and the ability to overload air defense systems.
The flight range of this drone is 500 kilometers, and it can carry up to 50 kilograms of explosives.
Ukrainian air defense forces have repeatedly stated that the main danger of 'Banderol' drones is that, due to their jet engine and high speed, they are difficult for mobile groups to intercept.
More sophisticated anti-aircraft systems are required to shoot down this type of UAV.
Furthermore, these missile-drones have a large fragmentation damage area against targets.
At least two instances are known where 'Banderol' drones entered Moldovan territory. In one case, it hit a tree, but private buildings in one of the settlements were severely damaged by the blast wave. Following this incident, Chisinau recalled its ambassador from Russia.
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