Russia moves air defenses to Belarus – Ukraine’s General Staff

August 21, BPN. Russia is moving air defense units into Belarus, the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ General Staff has reported.

“The movement of the Russian Armed Forces’ air defense equipment to Belarus’ territory is noted in the Volyn and Polissya axes,” it said.

“The threat of the enemy’s missile and air strikes from the country’s territory and airspace continues to persist,” it added.

On August 16, Russia attacked a military airfield in the Zhytomyr region with two X-59 missiles from a Su-34 fighter bomber, which took off from Belarus’ territory.

On the same day, the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ commander-in-chief, Gen Valeriy Zaluzhnyy, said the deployment of missile systems along the Belarus border was a concern. He specifically pointed at the Ziabraŭka airfield, Homiel region.

The Ukrainian authorities say Russa may launch a massive missile attack on August 24, when their country will celebrate Independence Day.

On February 24, Russia started its full-scale war against Ukraine. Authorities in Minsk deny Belarusian army troops’ involvement in combat operations on the Russian side. However, Belarus allowed Russian troops and weapons to move freely through the country, use its airspace, refuel and store military equipment and attack Ukraine from its territory.

A 20,000-strong grouping of Russian forces crossed into Ukraine from Belarus at the outset of the war, Łukašenka told AFP in an interview on July 21.