MINSK (Agencies): In a significant military maneuver, Belarus has deployed a substantial number of troops and weaponry along its border with Ukraine. This move, described by Belarusian authorities as part of military exercises, has raised concerns in Kyiv and among international observers. Former members of Russia’s Wagner Private Military Company (PMC) have also been spotted in the same area.
According to Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry, Belarus is concentrating a significant number of personnel and military equipment, including tanks, artillery, multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS), air defense systems, and engineering equipment near the city of Gomel, which is approximately 30 kilometers from the Ukraine-Belarus border. The deployment also includes additional air defense troops and aircraft.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced that nearly a third of the country’s military would be stationed along the border. This buildup is seen as a response to increased Ukrainian military presence in the region, although this claim has not been independently verified.
Ukraine has warned Belarus against any violations of its state border, stating that any such actions would prompt a robust response, including targeting troop concentrations and military facilities in Belarus. The situation remains tense, with both sides closely monitoring developments.
This deployment comes amid ongoing tensions in the region, with Belarus being a close ally of Russia and hosting Russian troops and missiles. The international community is watching closely, concerned about the potential for further escalation.