Statements by the Belarusian Defense Ministry about tension on the border with Ukraine may be a provocation by the Russian Federation to pull the Ukrainian Armed Forces away from the front line, states the Head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Andrii Kovalenko.
Background
This morning, the Belarusian Ministry of Defense announced that there is an alleged increase in "tension" on the border with Ukraine. Ukraine is allegedly deploying troops to the border, mining the area, and building engineering barriers.
Belarus said that the situation is "difficult" but has not yet recorded any "provocations." In particular, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces and First Deputy Minister of Defense of Belarus Pavel Muraveiko said that the situation on the border with Ukraine "is changing every day, and not for the better": "unjustified and so far unexplained" activity is allegedly being recorded on the Ukrainian side.
Moreover, Belarus said that Ukrainian special forces of the 1st Presidential Brigade had allegedly arrived in the city of Ovruch, Zhytomyr region. American infantry fighting vehicles, multiple launch rocket systems, heavy long-range artillery, and other military equipment are allegedly deployed there.
What is said in Ukraine
As Kovalenko explained, such statements indicate that Russia's information operation to stir up tension on the border with Belarus is being unwound. For this purpose, military observers have already been deployed there, saying that Ukraine is preparing an attack on Belarus.
At the same time, for about a week now, Russia has been coming up with all sorts of fakes, which are being worked out by Belarusian border guards.
"The threat itself comes from Belarus - there are Russian subversive groups there. The Russians' task is simple - to draw more of our forces there by pumping up the pressure. Any information about our activity in the border area is a lie," Kovalenko wrote.
Belarus' help for Russia
Belarus is helping Russia in its war against Ukraine. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Russians have been attacking the territory of Ukraine, including from the territory of Belarus.
In 2023, the defense ministers of Russia and Belarus agreed to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus.
At the same time, Ukraine's Defense Ministry stated that Putin failed to fully involve the Belarusian army in the war against Ukraine.
