Belarus moves troops and missiles to the Ukrainian border
The fighting in the Kursk region is increasingly putting Moscow in distress. Belarussian dictator Lukashenko simultaneously speaks of allegedly shot down Ukrainian drones - and sends troops to the border region. The Kremlin could throw Belarus "into the oven of its war", fears Eastern Europe expert Friedman.
After the alleged intrusion of Ukrainian combat drones into Belarusian airspace, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Minsk warned of an escalation of the conflict. Such "criminal acts" could lead to a radical escalation of the situation, the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement to the state news agency Belta. They are also a "dangerous attempt to expand the current conflict zone in our region." Belarus will use its right to self-defense and will respond appropriately to any provocation or hostile acts.
Ruler Alexander Lukashenko had previously reported the alleged shooting down of several Ukrainian flying objects. The air defense has been put on full alert because about ten flying objects from Ukraine have entered Belarusian airspace in the east of the country in the region of Kostjukowitschy, Lukashenko said today about the incident the day before.
In view of the "situation in Ukraine and in the Russian region of Kursk", Lukashenko has ordered a reinforcement of Belarusian troops in the border region with Ukraine, the Minister of Defense Viktor Chrenin said in Minsk. Also, the deployment of ballistic missiles "Iskander" and "Polones" rocket launchers in the region has been ordered.
Historian: Kremlin could decide to throw Belarus "into the oven of the war"
Eastern Europe expert Alexander Friedman sees the current military activities in Belarus as a response to Ukraine's advance in the Russian region of Kursk. The fighting there has been going on for five days, with Ukraine capturing several settlements. "If the events in the Kursk region continue to develop negatively for the Russian Federation, it could lead to a critical situation in which the Kremlin decides to throw the Belarusian army into the oven of its war. And Lukashenko is aware of this," the historian from the University of Düsseldorf wrote on Telegram.
Belarus supports Russia in its war against Ukraine. Even at the beginning of the war almost two and a half years ago, the country made its territory available to Russian troops to march into northern Ukraine. There are always fears that Belarus will also directly enter the war.
The European Union, concerned about the escalating conflict, has issued a statement expressing its support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and calling for de-escalation in the region. Given the potential involvement of Belarus in the conflict, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has urged Lukashenko to maintain neutrality and uphold international law.
Given the historical alliance between Belarus and Russia, many in Europe are watching closely to see if the European Union will need to intervene militarily or impose additional sanctions on Belarus if the situation in the Kursk region continues to worsen.
