Belarus Deploys Troops Amid Ukraine Tensions

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced that he has deployed nearly a third of his army to the border with Ukraine, citing the presence of over 120,000 Ukrainian troops nearby as a threat. He claimed this military buildup was a response to Ukraine's 'aggressive policy' and emphasized that the Belarusian-Ukrainian border is now heavily mined, warning that Ukrainian forces would face significant losses if they attempted to cross. Lukashenko's statements come amid heightened tensions following a Ukrainian incursion into Russian territory that began on August 6, which embarrassed Russian military leadership. Despite these claims, Kyiv reported seeing no signs of a Belarusian troop buildup at the border. Lukashenko also mentioned that elite military units and special services are active in the area, reinforcing his assertion of a defensive posture. The situation at the border remains tense, as Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin expressed concerns over potential armed provocations from Ukraine.