Russia Drops X-59 Missile on Belgorod in Latest Self-Bombing Incident
In the ongoing war near the Ukraine border, Russia has mistakenly dropped an X-59 missile on its own territory, specifically near the village of Krasnoye in Russia’s Belgorod region. This incident, reported on April 19 by Astra on its Telegram channel, marks yet another self-bombing incident in the region. Fortunately, there were no casualties or damage, as the military promptly destroyed the missile on the spot.
Belgorod, located near the Ukrainian border, is home to several Russian military bases and training grounds. Throughout Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, the region has experienced numerous explosions, with local authorities frequently reporting unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the area.
Recurring Incidents of Accidental Munition Drops
This year alone, there have been several incidents involving Russia’s military accidentally dropping munitions and missiles on its own territory. Astra reported that in March and April, Moscow forces mistakenly dropped at least 21 aerial bombs from its aircraft on Russian soil or on occupied territories of Ukraine. The publication also noted that Russian authorities often try to cover up these incidents, attributing them to “abnormal discharge of ammunition.”
Furthermore, Moscow has acknowledged emergency releases of aviation munitions without providing specific reasons for these occurrences.
Past Instances of Accidental Drops
On January 27, Russia accidentally dropped Soviet-designed FAB aerial bombs on Belgorod twice. Fortunately, the bombs did not detonate or cause any casualties and were defused the following day, according to Astra. Prior to that, on January 21, another FAB aerial bomb was dropped on one of Russia’s own dams in Belgorod.
On January 13, Russia dropped Kalibr missiles in the Krasnodar area, located in the North Caucasus region of southern Russia. Two missiles were dropped in a single day, one in the morning between the villages of Pavlovskaya and Atamanskaya, and the other in the evening in a field. Fortunately, there were no casualties or damage reported.
On January 2, a Russian missile fell on the village of Petropavlovka in the Voronezh region, injuring four people.
It is worth noting that Newsweek has not independently verified the report of the recent incident in Belgorod, and attempts have been made to contact Russia’s Defense Ministry for additional comments. The Kremlin has also not commented on this specific incident.
These recurring incidents of accidental munition drops raise concerns about the safety and reliability of Russia’s military operations. The lack of concrete explanations for these occurrences only adds to the uncertainty surrounding these incidents. As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues, it is crucial for all parties involved to prioritize the safety of civilians and ensure that such accidental drops do not happen again.
