Belarus bolsters border with Ukraine as tensions escalate

Self-proclaimed president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, has issued an order to reinforce the military units in the tactical areas of Gomel and Mozyr, which border Ukraine. The reinforcement includes the deployment of special forces, ground troops, and missile units, including Polonez and Iskander launchers.

The Belarusian leader also stated that he intends to "personally and on-site deal with the turbulent situation on the border with Ukraine."

"We are closely monitoring the situation and are ready to respond to any changes," said Belarusian Minister of National Defence, Viktor Khrenin.

The head of the Ukrainian Center for Countering Disinformation, Andriy Kovalenko, responded to Lukashenko's order. He stated that this is "an attempt to help Putin and to divert the attention of the Ukrainian command in that direction."

From Belarusian Gomel to Russian Kurchatov, where the nuclear power plant is located, it is 455 kilometres. It is in these areas that the heaviest fighting is taking place due to Ukraine's attack.

Earlier, Belarusian air defence forces allegedly destroyed several targets, most likely drones launched from Ukraine, over the country's territory on Friday.

Lukashenko stated that several targets allegedly "violated Belarusian airspace in the Mogilev region bordering Russia", which—as he emphasised—"forced the authorities to put aviation and air defence forces on the highest alert".

At 18:04 GMT, at an altitude of 2 kilometres and within a range of 6 kilometres, air defence forces destroyed several targets over Belarusian territory. Lukashenko said searches for debris (of the downed objects) are ongoing overnight and this morning.

Reuters reported that, according to Lukashenko, other targets "were moved" to Russian territory and then destroyed near the city of Yaroslavl.

Earlier on Saturday, the Russian Ministry of Defence reported that Russian armed forces intercepted six Ukrainian drones in the Yaroslavl region.

At the same time, it should be noted that Russian drones, which violated Belarusian airspace and also led to fighter jets being scrambled while attacking targets in Ukraine, did not bother Lukashenko.

Some of the Russian drones fell on Belarusian territory.