Ukraine: Belarus hosts enough Russian forces to be a threat

December 20, BPN. Ukraine’s joint forces commander Serhiy Nayev says Belarus has accumulated enough Russian ground forces, aircraft and missile systems to pose a threat to his country.

“Russian spotting aircraft and interceptors carrying the Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missiles train in the airspace over Belarus,” he said (quotes rendered from Russian).

“The sole purpose of the training and exercises is to clarify targets in Ukraine to be struck by the aggressor’s missiles,” he said. “Accordingly, we are taking all measures to reduce the threat.”

The lieutenant general went on to say that Ukraine “is closely monitoring the transfer of weapons from the territory of Russia, analyzing the situation on a daily basis.” He said Belarus is now home to the 2nd Motorized Rifle Division of the Russian Armed Forces’ 1st Tank Army, as well as to an aviation group that “includes the newest aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces.”

Belarus also hosts the Iskander ballistic missile systems that can be used against targets in Ukraine, Nayev added. In the event of a “serious increase in forces and means on the Belarusian side,” the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ General Staff can significantly expand groups in this area, he concluded.

On October 15, the defense ministry in Minsk said that first trains carrying Russian troops as part of the joint regional group of forces arrived in Belarus. The regional group was formed to enhance Union State border security, it said. “This decision was dictated by ongoing activity in the border areas,” it added.

On February 24, Russia launched a full-scale war against the Ukrainian people. The authorities in Minsk deny that Belarusian troops participate in hostilities. At the same time, the territory of Belarus was actively used by the Russians to attack Ukraine at the outset of the invasion and in later periods.