Belarus positions multiple rocket launchers on Ukraine border
Since the war began, Russian troops have been using Belarus for their advance on Ukraine. Now, the ruler in Minsk, pro-Kremlin Lukashenko, is sending additional units to the border along with multiple rocket launchers with hundreds of kilometers of range.
The border troops of the authoritarian ex-Soviet republic of Belarus have reportedly deployed additional units at the border with Ukraine. Multiple rocket launchers with a range of 300 kilometers have been positioned there, according to a spokesperson for the border troops of the state news agency Belta in Minsk.
The reason given for this measure was alleged spy and sabotage preparations from the Ukrainian side. The border guards in the Mosyr district reportedly shot down a quadcopter that had flown from Ukrainian territory into the area. Along the border, the Ukrainians were conducting regular reconnaissance flights with drones, it was stated.
Furthermore, according to reports from Minsk, a weapons cache was found in the border area. Additionally, there are reports that Russian legionnaires, who were fighting on the side of Kiev, are active in the area.
Belarus is the closest ally of Russia. The ruler Alexander Lukashenko is economically, financially, politically, and militarily dependent on the Kremlin. While Minsk does not officially participate in the Russian assault war against Ukraine, Russian troops have used Belarusian territory for their advance on Ukraine since the war began.
From Belarus, thousands of migrants have come to the EU this year. Poland and the European Union accuse Russia and Belarus of helping migrants from crisis regions to enter the EU illegally with visas and logistical support. The Polish border guard has registered over 16,500 attempts by refugees to cross the border since the beginning of the year. In the same period in 2023, it was still 11,200.
- Due to the tensions in Ukraine, Russia has leverage over its closest ally, Belarus, led by Alexander Lukashenko.
- The escalation of wars and conflicts in the region has prompted concerns, with reports of Russian legionnaires known to support Kiev being active near the Belarus-Ukraine border.
- Despite remaining neutral in the politics of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the actions of Belarus, such as deploying additional troops and weapons to the border, have raised questions about its true role and potential involvement in the attack on Ukraine.
