Belarus sends Pałanez, Iskander, aircraft to Ukraine border, claiming “provocation”
August 10, Pozirk. Alaksandar Łukašenka has ordered his army to send reinforcements to the Homiel and Mazyr “tactical directions” after Belarusian and Russian air defenses shot down several unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) on August 9.
Belarusian Defense Minister Viktar Chrenin told reporters in Minsk on August 10 that Belarusian air defenses shot down UAVs over Belarus and the Russian air defenses shot down UAVs “outside Belarus’ air space.”
“We assess this as a provocation against the Republic of Belarus,” Chrenin said. “Taking into account the situation in Ukraine and in the Kursk province of Russia, the commander in chief [Łukašenka] gave orders to strengthen the group of forces at the Homiel and Mazyr tactical directions with the purpose of reacting to any possible provocations.”
Chrenin said he had sent Pałanez multiple-rocket launch systems, Iskander missiles, anti-aircraft and electronic warfare systems and aircraft to the area.
Łukašenka said earlier he had put his Air/Air Defense Forces on high alert because Ukraine “violated all agreements, all rules of behavior and the air space” somewhere in the Kaściukovičy district of Belarus close to the border with Russia’s Bryansk province.
He said that Belarus’ Air/Air Defense Forces shot down several “targets” at the altitude of 1,500 meters and at a range of 6.5 kilometers.
Russia shot down the other targets over its territory, he said.
Łukašenka said he did not understand why Ukraine needed it, noting “I have to find out.”
“But we, like I said, had made a deal with them and put this information across to them that any provocation will not remain unanswered,” he warned.
Also read: Łukašenka orders troops to return from Ukraine border to their bases
- EconomyPublic sector employees to take on their laid-off colleagues' responsibilities for extra payThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyEconomist plays down fears of rubel collapseThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsŁukašenka goes to Pakistan next weekThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Elections, Politics, Security
- Economy, PoliticsPolish trade unionists protest against fertilizer imports from BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- Politics, SocietyInformation minister concerned about influx of subversive books from RussiaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Security
- PoliticsHrodna court sentences exiled activist to six years in prisonThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsViasna: new political prisoners outnumber those pardonedThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Elections, PoliticsOfficial: 1.5 million ballot-access signatures collected for Łukašenka in two weeksThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- PoliticsExiled soccer executive among those stripped of rankThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Elections, Politics, SecurityKGB holding counterterrorism drill in city near PolandThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SecurityKGB accuses Warsaw of training terrorists for Belarus missionThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- Politics, SocietyReprisals: Minsk arrests two Belarusians who fought Russia in UkraineThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsFormer Kalinoŭski fighter Ralko held in detention in BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsVietnam extradites former volunteer fighter to BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- PoliticsAustria declares support for "vibrant Belarusian civil society"The material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsBelarusian combatant who fought for Ukraine has been detained in AsiaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsOver dozen people declared political prisonersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyTurkey: Belarusian climbers found aliveThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Elections, PoliticsLaw enforcers prepare for deterioration ahead of January's voteThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, PoliticsLiechtenstein expands sanctions against MinskThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsMinsk pardons 32 prisonersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyLeading Polish daily: fraud investigators at Belsat officesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsBelarusian general accuses West of massing soldiers, weapons near BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsMore drones spotted over Belarus as Russia keeps attacking UkraineThe material is available only to POZIRK+