Belarus strengthens protection of Ukraine border

Belarus has increased patrols of its border with Ukraine due to Ukrainian reconnaissance activities, Belarusian State Border Committee announced on Monday. The Belarusian Defence Ministry shared footage of military servicemen at a checkpoint on the country's southern border who are on duty together with the border service. The footage showed Belarusian troops inspecting cars crossing the border and patrolling the area.

Belarusian President Lukashenko reignited fears that his army could join Russian forces in Moscow’s war against Ukraine, but the authoritarian leader appears reluctant to lend his troops to the effort, despite perceived pressure from Moscow. Russia has already used Belarus, its longtime and dependent ally, as a staging ground to send troops and missiles into Ukraine. Analysts say if Belarus’ small and inexperienced military gets involved, the additional troops could help Moscow cut off some key transportation corridors, but likely wouldn’t significantly boost Russian President Vladimir Putin’s capabilities on the battlefield.

“The Belarusian army is weak and demotivated, and it is not willing to fight with Ukraine, which means that Lukashenko will try to give Putin anything but Belarusian soldiers,” Ukrainian military analyst Oleh Zhdanov told The Associated Press. “Lukashenko is letting Putin know: ‘I will help, but I won’t fight.’”

Lukashenko announced that he and Putin agreed to create a joint “regional grouping of troops” and that several thousand Russian soldiers will be stationed in Belarus. Lukashenko offered no details about where the troops will be deployed, and Russia’s motives weren’t immediately clear, though the remarks come as Moscow is struggling to replenish troops lost on the battlefield.