A Russian-operated Shahed-136 drone accidentally hit a residential building in the Belgorod region of Russia. Security footage captured the recent incident, showing the distinctive triangular wings and blunt-nosed fuselage of the Shahed-136, a kamikaze drone model typically used by Russian forces in attacks on Ukraine.

Friendly fire: Russian Shahed-136 kamikaze UAV hits a building in Belgorod region. pic.twitter.com/nAdTKN3pjZ

— Clash Report (@clashreport) November 11, 2024

Initially, Belgorod’s regional governor suggested Ukrainian forces were responsible for the November 5 incident. However, Russian media and analysts soon pointed to evidence indicating the drone was Russian-operated. 

The drone’s flight path reportedly started within Russian borders and was directed toward Ukraine, supporting the theory that this was a malfunction or navigation error. Observers also noted an unusual dark cloud near the drone before it descended, raising the possibility it was damaged by Russian air defenses. 

This incident marks yet another example of Russian weaponry accidentally hitting Belgorod, which is located only about 40 kilometers from Ukraine. Earlier incidents include an April 2023 strike where two 500-kilogram bombs, mistakenly released by Russian forces, hit the city. Local reports estimate that Belgorod faces an average of 10 to 15 accidental strikes per month due to nearby Russian military activities.