No troop build-up near Ukraine’s border with Belarus, says SBGS

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Ukrainian border guards are not observing any movement of equipment or reinforcement of troops near the border on Belarusian territory, according to the State Border Guard Service.

This was stated in an interview with Ukrinform by SBGS spokesperson Andrii Demchenko.

“There is no troop build-up. Since 2022, Belarus has kept certain units in some directions. At the time, they said it was to strengthen their own security, as they expected some actions from Ukraine, although Ukraine has never threatened Belarus and does not plan such actions. Therefore, the same units that were previously deployed along our border remain there. They carry out rotations and movements, but there is no increase in these forces,” he said.

Demchenko clarified that no movement of military equipment has been detected directly near the border.

He added that Ukrainian intelligence, the Ministry of Defense, and the State Border Guard Service are closely monitoring developments inside Belarus in order to respond in time to any challenges or threats.

He also noted that, as of now, Russia does not maintain large forces in Belarus, including infantry units capable of launching a renewed invasion from Belarusian territory.

At the same time, the SBGS spokesperson said that provocative actions cannot be ruled out, including attempts to draw Ukrainian forces away from more critical fronts. He also warned that Russia could at any moment redeploy its forces to Belarus and use Belarusian infrastructure. There may also be pressure on Belarus to provide broader support to Russia in its war against Ukraine.

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As reported, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia may consider various scenarios involving Belarusian territory, but expressed hope that Minsk would not be drawn into such plans.

Self-proclaimed Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko on April 17 signed a decree calling up reserve officers for military service. He has also stated that Belarus is preparing for war, claiming that “there can be no peaceful time.”