Łukašenka says KGB arrested saboteurs near Ukrainian border

February 16, Pozirk. “Several saboteurs” have been arrested on the shared border with Ukraine, Alaksandar Łukašenka has told officials this morning.

The Committee for State Security (KGB) has completed a “military operation,” Pul Pervogo, his press office’s unofficial Telegram channel, quoted him as saying. “All the saboteurs, among them Belarusians, have been arrested. This is pretty much [happening] two or three times a week.”

Ukrainians used drones to cross into Belarus through swamps smuggling explosives to commit sabotage in Russia and Belarus, he claimed.

The Homiel regional department of the KGB reportedly announced an anti-terrorist operation mode in the Homiel region’s Lelčycy district on Thursday.

The district is located close to the Ukrainian border. Its residents were asked to remain calm and obey the KGB orders. Authorities did not disclose any further details.  The announcement may have been linked to the law enforcement agencies’ drills, a local official told Pozirk.

Belarusian anti-terrorism legislation allows authorities to restrict or prohibit traffic, enter and break into homes at any time of the day, conduct searches and control media outlets.