Belarus has ramped up its military presence at the Ukrainian border, following an order from President Alexander Lukashenko to station nearly a third of the country’s military forces there. This move raises the stakes in an already tense situation.
Andrey Lukyanovich, commander of the Belarusian Air Defense Forces, announced on national television that more aircraft, anti-aircraft missiles, and soldiers from the radio-technical corps have been sent to the border. This was reported by United24 Media.
Lukashenko stated that the decision to increase military forces was in response to what he claims is Ukraine’s buildup of troops along the border.
This statement has not been independently confirmed.
Belarus has a military of about 60,000 personnel, but Lukashenko did not specify how many troops are now stationed at the border.
Ukraine has not yet confirmed the presence of additional Belarusian forces along their 1,084-kilometer shared border.
Belarus, a close ally of Russia, has previously allowed its territory to be used by Russian forces during their invasion of Ukraine. Earlier this year, Russia moved some of its tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus, further deepening their military ties.
Just a few days ago, on August 18, Lukashenko called for negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has been conducting a military operation in Russia’s Kursk region, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stating that Ukrainian forces now control 92 settlements within that region.
