Minsk: Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin has voiced serious concerns about a potential military provocation from neighboring Ukraine. His warning comes on the heels of similar alarms raised by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who has suggested that Ukraine might escalate the conflict into Belarus.
Khrenin’s comments, reported by the state news agency Belta, point to increased military activity along the Belarusian-Ukrainian border. He noted that Ukrainian forces are intensifying border security measures and conducting reconnaissance operations, including the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to monitor Belarusian airspace. Khrenin stressed the high likelihood of military provocations due to the close proximity of Ukrainian troops.
President Lukashenko further fueled concerns with recent remarks, alleging that influential American figures are keen to prolong the Ukraine-Russia war. He implied that the West is encouraging Ukraine to continue fighting in order to weaken both nations, aligning with his broader view that Western powers are intent on fostering conflict.
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In response to the perceived threat, Russia plans to strengthen its border defenses, while large-scale evacuations are underway in the Kursk region due to reported advances by Ukrainian forces. Kyiv claims its troops have made significant gains, pushing 35 kilometers into Russian territory.
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Lukashenko has vowed that Belarus will not tolerate any aggression and has warned that Ukrainian troops will not be permitted to “trample” on Belarusian soil. This stance underscores Belarus’s role as a key ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose large-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, with some operations originating from Belarusian territory.
