Ukrainian forces report on situation at Ukraine-Belarus border
No movement of military equipment or personnel is currently being observed on the Ukrainian-Belarusian border, nor is there any increase in the number of Belarusian or Russian military personnel.
Source: Andrii Demchenko, spokesperson for Ukraine's State Border Service, during the national joint 24/7 newscast
Quote: "As regards our border, fortunately, at this point, we have not recorded any movement of equipment, weapons or personnel in the immediate vicinity of our border, nor any build-up of forces."
Details: However, Demchenko noted that Ukrainian intelligence services are detecting Russian pressure on Belarus aimed at drawing it further into the war against Ukraine, which poses a risk of a renewed invasion from Belarusian territory by either Belarusian or Russian troops.
He said that overall, the number of Belarusian units near the border with Ukraine has remained unchanged since 2022.
"Their numbers are not increasing, their numbers are not decreasing; there is a constant, periodic rotation," said Demchenko.
Quote: "As regards Russian forces, there are currently no large formations on Belarusian territory. Any Russian units present are mainly logistics and support elements. Regarding infantry units capable of launching an attack on Ukraine from Belarus, none have been identified.
However, the infrastructure Belarus continues to develop on its territory, including along the border, and the logistics routes it is building, could be used by Russia at any moment if it deploys additional forces into Belarus."
Background:
- On 15 May, following a meeting with military leaders, intelligence services and the Security Service of Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv continues to observe attempts by Russia to draw Belarus further into the war against Ukraine and that he has instructed the Ukrainian defence forces to present a response plan.
- The Belarusian Ministry of Defence announced that on 18 May, military units began training in the combat use of nuclear weapons. The exercises were being conducted in cooperation with Russian forces.
- The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus and joint nuclear exercises between the two dictatorships as an unprecedented challenge to the global security architecture and called on Kyiv's international partners to respond firmly.
- In 2022, some Russian forces entered Ukrainian territory from Belarus, and missile strikes were also launched from Belarusian territory.
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