About 5,000 Wagner mercenaries may be deployed in Belarus – Demchenko

The relevant statement was made by Spokesperson for the Ukrainian State Border Guard Service Andrii Demchenko in a commentary to Ukrinform.

“At the beginning, as the groups of mercenaries began to enter Belarus, their number was estimated in hundreds. But, now, considering the available information about the representatives of private military companies, their number is, of course, different and may reach around 5,000,” Demchenko told.

In his words, such a number of Russian mercenaries does not pose a direct threat to Ukraine. Nevertheless, Ukrainian border guard officers are ready for any scenario, and the situation at the border is fully controlled.

According to Demchenko, the Ukrainian State Border Guard Service continues to monitor the situation regarding the arrival of Russian mercenaries in Belarus.

“Ukraine is doing everything necessary to understand the real risk and ensure reliable security due to the presence of mercenaries in a neighboring country. We react accordingly,” Demchenko added.

The spokesperson emphasized that Ukraine’s border is being further strengthened along its entire length and reinforced with the necessary means.

A reminder that Joint Forces Commander Lieutenant General Serhiy Nayev stated earlier that the actions of Russia’s Wagner Group in Belarus are supposed to exert psychological pressure on and intimidate the Ukrainian population.