Ukraine warns Belarus of consequences for aggressive actions at the border

Belarus is amassing troops close to the Ukrainian border under the guise of exercises, according to intelligence cited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ministry warned Minsk against making “tragic mistakes” and cautioned about the consequences.

“The Republic of Belarus’ armed forces are concentrating a significant number of personnel, including Special Operations Forces, weapons, and military equipment, including tanks, artillery, MLRS, air defense systems, and engineering equipment, in the Gomel region near Ukraine’s northern border under the guise of exercises. The presence of mercenaries of the former Wagner PMC was also recorded,” the ministry stated.

The ministry stressed the threat their military exercises pose, being near to a nuclear facility, namely the Chernobyl Nuclear Power plant, not only to Ukraine’s national security but to global security in general.

“We warn Belarusian officials not to make tragic mistakes for their country under Moscow’s pressure, and we urge its armed forces to cease unfriendly actions and withdraw forces away from Ukraine’s state border to a distance greater than the firing range of Belarus’ systems,” the Ukrainian ministry urged.

Ukraine has never taken, and does not intend to take, any unfriendly actions against the Belarusian people. “We warn that in case of a violation of Ukraine’s state border by Belarus, our state will take all necessary measures to exercise the right to self-defense guaranteed by the UN Charter. Consequently, all troop concentrations, military facilities, and supply routes in Belarus will become legitimate targets for the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” the ministry concluded.