The massive missile strikes on Ukraine, which took place from the territory of Belarus last night, are a russian provocation aimed at drawing Belarus into the war, the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defence Ministry has said on Telegram.
"On the night of 25 June, a massive missile and bomb attack was carried out on the territory of Ukraine. In particular, Russian bombers 'worked' directly from the territory of Belarus. Six Tu-22M3 aircraft were used for this purpose, which launched 12 Kh-22 cruise missiles. The launch range was the area of the town of Petrikov [Petrykaw] near Mozyr [Mazyr], roughly 50-60 km from the state border of Ukraine," the Ukrainian intelligence said.
The Russian planes took off from Shaykovka airport in russia's Kaluga Region. Then they entered Belarusian airspace, fired missiles and returned to Shaykovka. The strikes were carried out on Kyiv, Chernihiv and Sumy regions.
"This is the first case of an air strike against Ukraine directly from the territory of Belarus. Today's shelling is directly linked to attempts of the Kremlin authorities to draw Belarus into the war in Ukraine as a direct participant," the intelligence said.
It recalled that yesterday it learnt about the arrival of Russian sabotage groups planning to blow up houses, schools and hospitals in the city of Mozyr, Belarus. The possible provocations could be presented as Ukraine's response to the airstrikes.
Today, around 4 a.m., missile strikes were launched at military facilities in Lviv, Chernihiv and Zhytomyr regions. Lviv Region was targeted by missiles launched from the Black Sea.