Russia accidentally fires on own territory for fourth time this month, MOD says

Russian forces have reportedly once again accidentally fired upon their own territory, according to a Telegram news channel.

The Astra channel reported that two FAB-250 unguided munitions had been fired by mistake against two Russian villages in the Belgorod area.

"This is the fourth Russian accidental aerial munition discharge on its own territory this month," wrote the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) in its latest intelligence report.

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"Russian independent Telegram news channel Astra reported on 27 January 2024 that Russian aircraft had accidentally discharged two FAB-250 unguided munitions on two Russian villages in the Belgorod area," said the MOD.

"The first munition landed on a farm in Postnikov, whilst the second munition landed on an urban street in Strelestkoye village, prompting an evacuation of up to 150 civilians within a 500m radius.

"In total, this is the fifth overall within a year, with the earliest occasion in Belgorod City on 20 April 2023."

The MOD was unable to confirm the cause of such a mistake but speculated that it could be due to poor procedures or poor execution of missions.

It added: "The increasing frequency of these occurrences likely demonstrates a degree of air and ground crew fatigue within the Russian frontline, as well as exposing inadequate training."