Russian aircraft twice fired on their own civilians accidentally
Russian aircraft have accidentally fired on their own people on two separate occasions, confirmed by the country's Ministry of Defence.
The incidents happened on 2 and 8 January, when aerial munitions were accidentally launched within Russia's borders.
"Both instances were during Russian combat sorties," said the UK MOD in its latest intelligence update.
"Russia has accidentally discharged two aerial munitions on two separate occasions in the past week," wrote the MOD.
"Russia's Ministry of Defence stated that on 2 January 2024 one of their aircraft discharged a munition damaging nine residential properties in Petropavlovka, in Russia's Voronezh Oblast.
"The second incident, on 8 January 2024, occurred with a discharge of a FAB-250 unguided munition over the village of Rubizhne, Lunhansk Oblast, in occupied Ukraine, and was confirmed by the pro-Russian head of the Luhansk People's Republic."
On 20 April 2023, a Russian Su-34 aircraft accidentally fired aviation ammunition over Belgorod city in Russia.
The MOD believes the likelihood of similar accidents being repeated is increased by inadequate training, crew fatigue and poor execution of tactics among Russian troops.
It is unknown if anyone was killed or injured in either of the shootings.
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