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