Russian Kinzhal-capable MiG-31K fighters likely left Belarus after brief stay, monitoring group reports
On 10 October, two MiGs took off from Machulishchy airfield and were observed flying towards Russia, Belaruski Hayun says.
Russian MiG-31K fighter jets have likely left Belarus after a brief stay, according to a report from the Belaruski Hayun monitoring group. The group observed the arrival and subsequent departure of two Russian MiG-31K aircraft over a span of just two days.
The monitoring group reported on 12 October that two MiG-31K aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces fighter jets arrived in Belarus on 9 and 10 October. On 10 October at 15:10, it became known that the MiGs were observed taking off from the Machulishchy airfield.
Belaruski Hayun stated,
“Based on the available information, we know that after takeoff, the MiG-31Ks did not return to the Machulishchy airfield.”
The group further detailed the flight path of the jets, noting that “The fighters headed south, flew past Baranavichy, and then turned east towards the Russian Federation.”
While some monitoring channels reported the subsequent landing of the MiGs in Machulishchy, Belaruski Hayun did not confirm or report on the fighters’ landing. Instead, they concluded,
“Thus, at the moment, it is most likely that the MiGs left the territory of Belarus and returned to Russia after takeoff.”
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