Ukrainian Defense Minister appeals to Belarusians over Russia’s preparation of “a series of bloody provocations” to drag Minsk into the war

March 11, BPN. Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov issued an appeal to the Belarusian people warning that “the command of the Russian occupation forces is preparing a series of bloody provocations” to drag Minsk into the war.

According to Reznikov, his appeal is based on the information in which the Ukrainian side is “fully confident” and which is has confirmed.

“According to their criminal intent, the Russian aviation is preparing to launch a strike at several settlements on the territory of the Republic of Belarus located near the Ukrainian-Belarusian border. In particular, they are planning to hit the settlement of Kapani (Stolin district in Brest region),” the minister said.

He stated that “to mask this crime, Russia intends to carry out the strike from Ukrainian airspace.”

“The purpose of this provocation is to force the current leadership of Belarus into war against Ukraine. Moscow is trying to bind you with blood,” the head of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry warned.

“I guarantee that the Ukrainian army did not plan, is not planning and will not plan any aggressive actions against Belarus,” Reznikov pointed out.

He noted that Ukrainian troops have eliminated more than 12,000 Russian soldiers in 15 days of war, and called on the Belarusian people “not let your country be dragged into this war!”

“Save the lives of your loved ones! Do not let the Kremlin destroy the future of Belarus!” the minister wrote.

Currently, there is no evidence of direct involvement of the Belarusian authorities in the Russian war against Ukraine, but the territory of Belarus is used by the Russian army for shelling and bases for aviation, as well as for the invasion of Ukrainian territory. Assistance is also provided to wounded Russian soldiers, a fact earlier acknowledged publicly by Aliaksandr Lukašenka, who is visiting Moscow today for talks with Russian president Vladimir Putin.