Ukraine's Security Service and military begin checks of citizens in north of Ukraine due to exercises in Belarus
The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) and Ukraine's defence forces are carrying out enhanced security measures in the northern oblasts of Ukraine. This is connected with nuclear exercises involving a large number of Russian troops and weapons on the territory of Belarus.
Source: SSU on Facebook
Quote from the SSU: "The comprehensive measures include large-scale pre-emptive actions in the areas of counter-intelligence and counter-sabotage protection in the territories of Chernihiv, Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Volyn and Rivne oblasts."
Details: The checks are being conducted in accordance with a decision of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Headquarters. They are coordinated by the Anti-Terrorist Centre under the Security Service of Ukraine. In addition to SSU units, the police, the Armed Forces, the National Guard and border guards have also been involved.
The measures are aimed at preventing Russian infiltration into border areas, acts of sabotage and terrorism, subversive or intelligence activities and other war crimes.
Among other things, law enforcement officers will carry out enhanced checks of citizens, as well as inspections of territories and certain premises to detect items prohibited from circulation.
During the security measures, passage and traffic on the streets of certain settlements may be restricted; citizens' documents may be checked and vehicles inspected.
"The SSU asks citizens to treat possible inconveniences with understanding and to respond appropriately to the lawful actions and demands of law enforcement officers, to carry identity documents with them, and to observe the curfew regime," the statement says.
Previously: On the morning of 21 May, the Belarusian Ministry of Defence stated that Russia, as part of the exercises, had delivered nuclear munitions to field storage points on the territory of Belarus and published a corresponding video. Russian news agencies reported that Iskander-M systems with special munitions had been deployed during the nuclear forces exercises in Belarus.
Background:
- The Belarusian Defence Ministry announced that exercises involving units responsible for the combat use of nuclear weapons began on 18 May in cooperation with Russian forces.
- The Russian Defence Ministry stated that the exercises involve more than 64,000 service members, over 7,800 pieces of military equipment and weapons, including more than 200 missile launch systems, over 140 aircraft, 73 surface vessels and 13 submarines, 8 of which are strategic missile submarines.
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine described the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus and the joint nuclear exercises of the two dictatorships as an unprecedented challenge to the global security architecture and called on international partners to respond firmly.
- Mark Rutte, Secretary General of NATO, warned that Russia would face devastating consequences if it dared to use nuclear capabilities against Ukraine during the joint exercises with Belarus.
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