Satellite images released by British intelligence show what are likely two MiG-31K FOXHOUND interceptors stationed at Machulishchi Airfield in Belarus on October 17, according to the UK Ministry of Defence. Near the aircraft is a large canister, which the Ministry of Defense believes is likely for the AS-24 KILLJOY ballistic missile. KILLJOY missiles are launched from a high-speed aircraft to hunt down their targets. Russia claims the missiles, also known as Kinzhal or “dagger” missiles, can carry conventional or nuclear warheads and are supersonic, reportedly traveling at more than five times the speed of sound. Ukraine’s current air defenses cannot detect and destroy them, according to Hromadske, which could raise alarm about whether Russia intends to use Belarus as a staging ground for an attack on Ukraine in a repeat a tactic used by Russia at the beginning of the war. . Russian President Vladimir Putin has leaned on Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko since the early days of this year’s invasion to prepare for attacks in Ukraine, including the failed assault on Kyiv. But Russia may be conducting the deployment to send a message to the West and draw Belarus further into the war, rather than preparing an actual plot to launch an attack on Ukraine, according to British intelligence. “He probably carried out the deployment primarily to send a message to the West and portray Belarus as increasingly complicit in the war,” the defense ministry said. “Basing KILLJOY in Belarus gives Russia little additional advantage in striking additional targets inside Ukraine.” If the move was just for show, it would fit a pattern for Belarus. The deployment comes weeks after Russia and Belarus began a joint “grouping” and deployment of troops in Belarus in what could be seen as preparation for mobilization against Ukraine or other nations. But some US officials and diplomats have said the group is likely a ploy to trick Ukrainian forces into diverting resources to defend against a possible invasion from the north, instead of focusing on the south where Ukraine is winning against Russian forces. Efforts to dislodge Ukrainian forces from their winning tactics in the south and east may be a last-ditch effort by Russia to try to regain momentum amid a series of crushing battlefield losses. Russia currently has “strained logistical support” and is currently unable to conduct offensive operations and “is only capable of defensive operations,” according to a British intelligence assessment published last week. The White House warned on Tuesday that Russia’s build-up with Belarus may be a ruse. “While they claim it’s to enhance their bilateral readiness, it could also be an effort to destroy Ukrainian forces in the northern part of the country,” White House National Security Council coordinator John Kirby told reporters on Tuesday . In the same vein, KILLJOY missiles may not even be that useful for Putin’s goals. Russia has already deployed some of its KILLJOY missiles during the war in Ukraine with limited effect, according to the US Department of Defense. “Supersonics, as you can see from the conflict, is not necessarily the best use,” Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Heidi Shyu said in remarks last month. “They have fired their KILLJOY supersonic weapon against a barrier. The dam is still there.” Russia’s use of the weapon may not have much effect on the war, British intelligence previously estimated. When Russia claimed it had used hypersonics in the war in March, the British said the Russian claim was “very likely intended to play down the lack of progress in Russia’s land campaign”. The news of their deployment in Belarus comes as Russia has been launching a barrage of missiles into Ukraine in recent days. On Monday, Russia fired off a wave of rockets that hit key infrastructure, leaving Kyiv without water and electricity for hours. Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Tuesday in a Telegram post that supplies have been restored, although the city will still use some “emergency outages” of power supply. US officials have said they do not expect Russia to abandon its attacks on civilian areas, but are working to improve Ukraine’s air defenses. The Biden administration has committed to sending eight National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) to Ukraine, with two headed Ukraine’s way “in the very near future,” a top US defense official told reporters on Monday. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is working with allies to support Ukraine in improving its air defenses, the Pentagon said on Tuesday.
