KYIV (Reuters) – Ukraine said on Monday it had not seen any sign of a buildup of Belarusian forces near their border, contradicting a statement from Minsk that it had sent more troops to the area.
“In the last few days, we have not recorded any movement or build-up of Belarusian forces, (including) various units, equipment and personnel near our border,” said Andriy Demchenko, spokesman for Ukraine’s border guard service.
Belarus, a close Kremlin ally that borders Ukraine’s north, said on Saturday it was sending troops to reinforce its border with Ukraine after accusing Kyiv of violating its airspace with drones.
A Belarusian buildup on the border would mean a potential threat that Ukraine could feel compelled to respond to by diverting its already-stretched troops to reinforce the area at a tense moment along Ukraine’s northern border with Russia.
Almost two-and-a-half years since Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine launched a surprise cross-border incursion into Russia’s Kursk region last week. Russia said on Monday there was also heightened Ukrainian military activity near the Russian region of Belgorod.
Demchenko said in televised remarks that Belarus had made the statement about a buildup to “play along with Russia” to contribute to an information campaign to try to apply pressure on Ukraine.
“Most likely, they will be forced to … move equipment and personnel, perhaps in small numbers, in order to create the impression that this is happening. Most likely, if it will happen or is happening, it will be deeper within the Belarusian territory,” Demchenko added.
(Reporting by Anastasiia Malenko; editing by Tom Balmforth and Angus MacSwan)
