Lukashenko Claims Troop Deployment Near Ukraine

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced that nearly a third of Belarus' armed forces have been deployed to the border with Ukraine, citing the presence of over 120,000 Ukrainian troops as a reason for the military buildup. He described the situation as a defensive posture in response to perceived aggressive actions from Ukraine, particularly following a recent Ukrainian incursion into Russia that began on August 6. Lukashenko asserted that special forces units are stationed at strategic points along the border and warned of significant losses for Ukrainian troops if they attempted to cross. Ukrainian officials, however, contest Lukashenko's claims, maintaining that the border situation remains unchanged and that there has been no increase in Belarusian military presence. The rhetoric from both sides indicates a tense state of affairs, with Belarusian authorities expressing concerns of possible provocations from Ukraine. Lukashenko emphasized the mining of the Belarusian-Ukrainian border to deter any incursions.