Additional Coverage:
- Belarus is building up its military on Ukraine’s border and bragging about the ‘high combat readiness’ of its troops (newsbreak.com)
On September 9, 2021, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko at the Kremlin, as captured in an image by SHAMIL ZHUMATOV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has described Ukraine as an “enemy” and announced a significant military buildup along the Ukrainian border, stating that Belarusian forces are fully prepared for combat. Lukashenko, a staunch ally of Putin, has played a supportive role in Russia’s ongoing assault on Ukraine.
As per reports from the Ukrainian media outlet Euromaidan, Lukashenko mentioned in a speech that Belarus has increased its military personnel and missile systems near Ukraine. He detailed the deployment of special operation forces, including border guards and military troops, and noted that these forces have secured potential enemy advance routes.
Moreover, Lukashenko highlighted the heightened readiness of both Belarusian and Russian air force and air defense units, which are cooperating closely.
Belarus shares borders with both Ukraine and Russia and is often considered a satellite state of Russia. Lukashenko, who has governed since 1994, is closely aligned with Putin. While Belarus hasn’t directly engaged in combat during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it has facilitated Russian military actions since the conflict began in February 2022.
Russian military presence in Belarus has been significant; Russian troops entered Ukraine from Belarusian territory at the conflict’s onset, and Belarus has been used as a launch site for ballistic and cruise missile attacks against Ukraine. Russia has also stationed tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus since the escalation of hostilities.
Recent statements by Belarusian officials, including Lukashenko, express concerns about the possibility of Ukrainian forces nearing their border. The Belarusian military leadership in June voiced worries about Ukraine drawing Belarus into the war. In response, Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service assured that its operations near the Belarusian frontier were strictly defensive.
Ukrainian authorities have dismissed Belarus’ statements as mere components of a disinformation campaign, suggesting that Russia might attempt to incite panic in Ukraine by propagating fears of Belarusian military involvement.
Despite the rhetoric, there are no indications of imminent Ukrainian military incursions into Belarus or of Belarusian intentions to dispatch troops into Ukraine. Ukraine has warned of potential provocative threats from Russia and Belarus’s leaders aimed at the nation.
Lukashenko had previously stated that Belarusian forces would only engage if Ukrainian troops crossed into Belarusian territory. Analysts, including retired US Marine Corps Colonel Mark Cancian, view the Belarusian military as relatively weak and unlikely to significantly impact the war outcomes if involved. The UK Ministry of Defence also noted in March 2023 the relative inexperience of Belarus’s army compared to Russia’s forces.