Ukraine reinforces defenses on border with Belarus: Reports

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
12 Aug 2023 15:21

Ukraine is planting minefields near the Rivne nuclear power plant, fearing possible Belarusian intervention in the war.

Ukrainian soldiers take part in joint military training of armed forces, national guards, border guards, and Security Service of Ukraine in Rivne region, near the border with Belarus, on February 11, 2023 (AFP)

The Ukrainian army is reinforcing its defenses in the Rivne Region which borders Belarus that involves developing a second line of defenses, Ukrainian media outlets reported on Saturday.

The military is filling the area with traps that target infantry and vehicles as well as planting minefields near the Rivne nuclear power plant. The Ukrainian Channel 5 broadcaster said that there is currently no visible threat coming from Belarus, however, the army is working to increase defenses to be ready for any development.

During a meeting of the board of the military department on Wednesday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that the West has deployed about 360,000 military personnel and 8,000 armored vehicles along the borders of the Union State of Russia and Belarus.

"Taking into account the armed forces of the Eastern European countries, about 360,000 military personnel, 8,000 armored vehicles, 6,000 artillery systems and mortars, 650 aircraft, and helicopters are deployed in the immediate vicinity of the borders of the Union State," Shoigu said.

The minister added that since the conflict broke out, the number of formations of non-regional states of NATO has risen 2.5 times and exceeded 30,000 people.

This comes after Poland transferred 2,000 troops to its border with Belarus citing concerns regarding the increased presence of former Wagner PMC contractors in Minsk.

Shoigu warned that the Polish soldiers would be in "the immediate vicinity of the borders of the Union State," referring to an alliance between Moscow and Minsk.

"Moreover, there are plans to create a regular Polish-Ukrainian union allegedly for ensuring the security of Western Ukraine, but in fact for the subsequent occupation of this territory," he said.

So far there has been no indication that Belarus will join in on the Special Military Operation in Ukraine as its President, Alexander Lukashenko, has previously announced in November 2022 that his country has no plans to send Belarusian troops into Ukraine.

However, it was announced by the Belarusian Ministry of Defence, on July 11, that Wagner PMC will take part in the training of the Belarusian armed forces, which has alarmed Polish and Ukrainian officials.