Suspicious troop movements in Belarus (Belarus) on the border with Ukraine: As the Foreign Ministry in Kiev reported on Sunday evening, Russia’s closest ally is apparently gathering its forces.
The Foreign Ministry in Kiev said on Sunday that Ukrainian intelligence services had noted that Belarus “has gathered a significant number of troops in the Gomel region, near the Ukrainian border, under the guise of exercises.”
Wagner mercenaries in the region
There are also said to be a large number of Wagner mercenaries in the region. Many fighters from the troops went to Belarus after the failed coup and the death of ex-Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin. Many may have escaped prosecution by the Russian authorities and are now working as trainers for the Belarusian army.
“Stop unkind acts”
Kiev warned Belarus against making “tragic mistakes” under pressure from Russia. The Belarusian army must stop its “unfriendly actions”. Ukraine could fear military action by the Minsk regime to relieve Russia, which is under pressure at home in the Belgorod region.
Ukraine had recently stepped up its attacks on Russian territory, entering the Kursk region, which borders Belgorod, in early August. Belgorod is regularly targeted by Ukrainian air and drone strikes, which are carried out in retaliation for Russian attacks. Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov declared a state of emergency for the region in mid-August, while the Defense Ministry in Moscow announced the sending of military reinforcements to Belgorod due to the Ukrainian army’s advance into Russian territory.
Five civilians were killed and 12 others, including minors, were wounded in an artillery shelling in the town of Rakitnoye in the Belgorod border region, Governor Gladkov announced on the short-message service Telegram on Sunday evening. The reports could not be independently verified. There was no statement from Ukraine.
Close ally of Putin
Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko is a close ally and supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The EU accuses Belarus of, among other things, making its territory available as a staging area for Russian troops.
Before the start of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine in February 2022, Russia had gathered large troop formations on Belarusian territory near the Ukrainian border under the guise of a maneuver.
Source: Krone
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