Exiled opposition leaders from Belarus claim a drone attack near Minsk damaged a Russian military plane.
Aliksandr Azarov, the head of the Belarusian anti-government group BYPOL, took credit for the Telegram attack.
Near the Machulishchy airbase, multiple blasts hit the Beriev A-50 early warning aircraft.
It occurs at a time when Moscow and Minsk are working more closely together.
According to BYPOL on Telegram, the strikes caused damage to the aircraft's front and center, as well as to its radar and antenna.
This was a drone. The operation's participants are Belarusians, according to Mr. Azarov.
An advisor to the leader of the Belarusian opposition, Franak Viacorka, told the BBC that the attack was "creative" and "sophisticated.".
He told BBC News, "It was very brave because Belarusians are in a situation of complete terror.
In order to damage the plane, he continued, the opposition party was "definitely helped by locals, helped by military.".
It is impossible to verify the opposition's version of events, though.
Defense departments from Belarus and Russia have yet to publicly address the incident.
Former law enforcement officers who are now opposed to President Alexander Lukashenko's administration make up BYPOL, the group that has taken credit for the attack on the aircraft.
It is on the list of terrorist organizations maintained by Mr. Lukashenko's administration.
Although Belarus has not actively participated in the conflict in Ukraine, Mr. Lukashenko did permit Russian troops to enter Ukraine via Belarus.
In recent months, the two nations have also taken part in joint military training exercises.
