- Ukraine has tightened security measures in areas near the border with Belarus.
- Kyiv warns of a possible new Russian offensive led from the north of Belarus.
- The Security Service of Ukraine is strengthening checks on persons and property in the north.
Ukraine is tightening security measures in areas bordering Belarus, Kyiv announced on Thursday. He took this step after several weeks of warnings about a possible new attack from Belarus, which is Russia’s main ally in the region, TASR reports, according to an AFP report.
Kiev warns that Moscow could use Belarus – which has played the role of a springboard for an invasion of Ukraine in 2022 – to launch a new offensive from the north, including towards the Ukrainian capital.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said its troops and army were “carrying out a complex set of heightened security measures in the northern regions of our country.” These measures – including strengthening controls on persons and property – “will serve as an effective deterrent against any aggressive actions or operations by the enemy and its allies.”the SBU said in a statement.
On Monday, the Kremlin called Ukraine’s claims that it wants to drag Belarus further into the war an “attempt to further incitement”.writes AFP. Moscow and Minsk are holding joint nuclear drills this week involving thousands of troops, aircraft and strategic missile forces.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Wednesday during the exercises that his country is “preparing responses to every possible hostile move if the Russians really dare to expand their aggression.” Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, hundreds of thousands of people have lost their lives and it is the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II.
