Belarus fears military 'provocations' from Ukraine

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - The Belarusian leadership expressed concerns on Friday about potential provocations from Ukraine.

At a military security meeting in Minsk, chaired by President Aleksandr Lukashenko and convened amid Kyiv's incursion into Russia's Kursk region, Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin assessed the probability of "armed provocations from Kyiv on the Belarusian-Ukrainian border" as "high."

"Given the presence of Ukrainian armed formations in the border areas, there remains a significant likelihood of armed provocations on our territory, as well as high-profile actions involving Belarusian nationalist formations," Khrenin said.

He further noted that units of Ukraine's special forces and intelligence services are actively operating in the areas bordering Belarus.

"The situation in the southern operational zone remains tense. Ukrainian Armed Forces and Border Guard formations continue to enhance their border defense systems and establish layered defenses," he added.

Lukashenko stressed that Belarus is fully prepared to counter any threats from its adversaries.

"We are ready and fully equipped to respond to any threats against Belarus. As I understand it, we have everything necessary to repel any possible provocations – I hesitate to call them attacks or strikes," Lukashenko said.

He recalled that after an incident involving Ukrainian drones flying over Belarusian territory, border controls along the Belarusian-Ukrainian border were tightened.

"Moreover, we have deployed parts of our army there. What is the current situation on the border? Have all units been moved to their designated positions in case of an emergency? I have received the relevant materials and the appropriate map. I ask for a report not only on the current situation but also on the developments and your recommendations for our next steps," the president added.

On Aug. 10, Lukashenko announced that part of a group of drones flying from Ukraine toward Russia over Belarus had been destroyed a day earlier.