Drone strike on young football team bus could drag Belarus into Russia-Ukraine war | News World

A vital probe to search out out who ordered a drone strike on a bus carrying young footballers could determine the fate of the Ukraine-Russia war.

Conspiracy theories are swirling as to who selected to destroy the Rechytsa Youth Sports School’s coach, an attack that would drag Belarus into the war raging across its border.

The football coach’s wife was killed with six of the young footballers hurt as they were travelling from their hometown of Homiel to Russia’s Gelendzhik on Wednesday.

A swarm of drones were reportedly spotted descending on the team bus carrying 88 people to a vacation camp near the frontlines of the conflict between Kyiv and Moscow.

The President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenka, who’s in a fragile balancing act between his friend Vladimir Putin and Ukraine, has demanded to know the reality behind the strike.

‘If someone is scary us and attempting to drag us into the war, I feel it’s going to end badly for individuals who try to do that,’ he said.

‘We’re behaving calmly. Some people don’t like that Belarus is a peaceful state, and that’s the reason all this is occurring.

‘We hear statements, justifications, and various versions. But we’d like the reality. And we’re waiting for this truth or an actual, fair, honest answer from Ukrainian state officials, military personnel, and folks.

‘In any case, we are going to establish the reality; it’s going to not be a giant problem,’ he said.

Although Lukashenka says he will not be rushing to attract any conclusions, no less than in accordance with him, the drone is of Ukrainian origin. But he did suggest it might have been purchased by bad actors and suggested children shouldn’t leave Belarus without official permission.

Russia launched a terror investigation blaming Ukraine while Kyiv described the claim as ‘an information provocation by the Kremlin’.

Back home, Belarusian papers blasted Lukashenka’s 24-hour late response, which was seen as a move to assuage Ukraine.

Others even blamed the motive force of the trip which had been privately organised by parents.

Dzmitry Aleinikau, deputy chairman of the Homiel Regional Executive Committee, blamed private contractors.

‘The carriers chosen a dangerous route that ran practically through a frontline area,’ Aleinikau said.

Pro-government Telegram channel, the Belarusian Front, even suggested that independent media had known in regards to the attack upfront, pointing to an article warning in regards to the risks posed by drones in that area.

Is all what it seems?

Political analyst Vital Tsygankou posed the thought the strike could have been a political move intended to worsen relations between Minsk and Kyiv something the Kremlin will profit from.

He added the strike will rock Belarusians who’ve been ignoring the conflict just outside its border.

‘The people will realise that the war is definitely very close’, he said. ‘And it is obvious that the Belarusian authorities need to avoid fueling panic above all else.

‘All the message of Belarusian propaganda is: “Now we have peaceful skies; nothing is occurring here.” But on this case, something is occurring to Belarusians who’ve ventured only just a little beyond the country’s borders.’

Russia accused Ukraine of one other drone attack on a bus which it said killed eight civilians and wounded 11 more in occupied Donetsk.

Vladimir Putin is alleged to be ‘actively pressuring’ Belarusian dictator Lukashenko to enter the war on his side, in accordance with UK Defence Journal editor George Allison.

At the identical time, work on infrastructure which could be key to an invasion, like roads and artillery positions, has been ongoing in the previous Soviet state along its border with northern Ukraine for months.

All this has sparked fears that Belarus, whose leader has been closely aligned with Putin for many years, is ready to transcend vocally supporting Russia to take an lively part within the conflict.

Speaking from around 50 miles (70km) from the Belarusian border, Allison told Metro: ‘Ukraine has warned repeatedly this yr that Russia is build up military infrastructure in Belarus, including recent roads and artillery positions along the northern border.

‘Kyiv says Moscow has been actively pressuring Lukashenko to commit Belarusian forces to the conflict, and claims to have details of direct conversations between Putin and the Belarusian leader.’

Allison said Russia had already been using Belarusian territory to ‘enhance’ its drone operations against Ukraine.

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