MINSK, August 10. /TASS/. Belarusian air defense systems eliminated several aerial targets flying in from Ukraine over the country’s south on August 9, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said.

"Overnight and today, since early morning, the search has been on for what was eliminated. We suspect that these were strike drones. Having violated Belarusian airspace, they were flying from Ukraine," the BelTA news agency quoted Lukashenko as saying.

In relation to the incident, he stressed to the Kiev regime that no provocation on its part will remain unanswered.

The Belarusian leader added that his country shared information with Russia on aerial targets flying across Belarusian airspace toward Russia which were later destroyed by Russian air defense systems near Yaroslavl.

Belarus warns will exercise right to self-defense, accusing Ukraine of provocations

Belarus will fully exercise its right to self-defense and respond to any provocations or hostile actions, the Belarusian Foreign Ministry warned in a comment after Ukrainian drones flew into the republic’s airspace on August 9 as it accused Ukraine of provocations which it said were instigated by external players.

“The Ukrainian leadership is taking such steps clearly at the connivance or even instigation of well-known external players,” the ministry said. “Naturally, Belarus will fully use the right to self-defense and respond duly to any provocations or hostile actions,” it warned.

Belarus to initiate consultations with partners in wake of Ukrainian drone incident

Belarus will initiate consultations with allies, partners and international agencies over yesterday’s incident with Ukrainian drones, the republic’s Foreign Ministry said in a comment.

“In light of the hazardous situation and global risks, the Belarusian Foreign Ministry will immediately inform relevant agencies at the United Nations and the OSCE as well as members of international organizations and associations of which the Republic of Belarus is a member about the details of the incident. We will also initiate relevant consultations with our allies and partners as well international agencies,” the ministry said.

Belarus’ diplomatic agency slammed the incident as very serious which it said “will not be left without a proper international legal and substantive assessment.”