Weeks after Łukašenka’s no-complications assessment, defense minister warns of probable “armed provocations” from Ukraine

August 16, Pozirk. Belarus “has been at the center” of global geostrategic interests and is “fully prepared” to counter any threats, Alaksandar Łukašenka has told his security officials.
His upbeat conclusion followed an alarmist report from Defense Minister Viktar Chrenin who warned about the danger of armed provocations against Belarus from Ukraine.
“The situation in the southern operational direction remains tense,” the defense ministry’s press office quoted Chrenin as saying.
The defense minister’s remarks stood in sharp contrast with optimistic assessments made by the Belarusian ruler three weeks before Ukraine’s surprise incursion into Russia’s Kursk province.
“Now we have no complications with the Ukrainians, and I hope there will be none,” he said during a visit to the 56th Anti-aircraft Missile Regiment in the Brest region on July 13. Łukašenka even ordered his troops to return from the Belarusian-Ukrainian border to their permanent bases.
Meanwhile, today Chrenin pointed out that Kyiv continues to beef up security, deploying special operations units near the Belarusian border and conducting reconnaissance with drones. He noted attempts to violate Belarusian airspace.
Armed Ukrainian units may be plotting provocations together with Belarusian volunteers fighting against Russia, the general warned.
On August 10, amid the Ukrainian offensive in Russia’s Kursk province, Łukašenka accused Kyiv of violating the Belarusian airspace with drones and sent back his troops to the Belarusian-Ukrainian border.
Ukraine has not reported any tension at its shared border with Belarus.

Łukašenka casts Belarus as victim amid Ukrainian Kursk push
- Politics, SecurityLithuanian army: Russia’s hands full in Ukraine, unlikely to use Zapad-2025 for attackThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyUN experts sound alarm over violations of trade unionists’ rights in BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyBelarusian Railway announces delays for Russia-bound trainsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelarus to import potatoes from Kyrgyzstan – reportThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelarusians net sellers of foreign currency in January-MayThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- Politics, SecurityCSTO officials discuss preparations for September exercisesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityBelarusian man arrested in Poland, accused of transporting irregular migrantsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja greets Denmark on Constitution DayThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityBelarus’ defense minister meets Pakistani defense ministry’s secretaryThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityIrregular entry attempts peak at Belarus-Latvia borderThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsReprisals: musician arrested over critical songsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society
- Economy, PoliticsEstonia moves to terminate tax deal with BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityEstonian Parliament backs withdrawal from antipersonnel mine ban conventionThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsLithuanian government approves amendments allowing for national sanctions against BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietySupreme Court promises to restore access to schedule of court hearings in JanuaryThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyBelarus seizes building that hosts Polish consulate from co-ownerThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelarusian-Chinese industrial park expanding rapidly - officialThe material is available only to POZIRK+