Risk exists that Belarusian-based S-300s may fire on Ukrainian cities during "training exercises" - Defense Express editor-in-chief

Oleg Katkov, editor-in-chief of Defense Express, shared this information with Espreso TV. 

"The training of the air defense forces consists of two components. The first, ground-based, is an increase in the number of anti-aircraft missile systems. We are aware that in the Russian Federation they are not only air defense, but also, in fact, an analogue of ballistic missiles with a flight range of about 110-120 km from the launch zone. The Russians regularly use such S-300, S-400 systems to strike ground targets. They are completely inaccurate and have no military purpose, only terrorist attacks to terrorize the population. Considering that such air defense systems will be brought to Belarus under the cover of exercises, there is a threat that the cities of Ukraine in the North may be hit by the S-300", he said.

Katkov also commented on the second component of future exercises in Belarus - aviation.

"Fighter planes that can attack ground targets. They will be based under the cover of exercises. The problem will be that when the fighters take off and approach the border, we turn on the siren and all our own forces - radars and anti-aircraft missile systems to repel this attack. This is an aspect related to the tension of our forces and the civilian population, because an air raid siren may sound more than once in a day", the expert concluded.