Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko reported the detention of an unspecified number of “saboteurs” along the country’s border with Ukraine. The operation, described by Lukashenko as a “counter-terrorist operation,” involved individuals accused of crossing into Belarus to transport explosives intended for sabotage activities within Belarus and Russia. The president made these announcements during a trade union event in Minsk.
Lukashenko’s remarks come amid a backdrop of heightened tensions in Eastern Europe, with Belarus playing a significant role as a logistical ally to Russia in its military campaign against Ukraine. Despite this support, Lukashenko has refrained from deploying Belarusian troops across the border into Ukraine. The president also claimed that such detentions of saboteurs occur “two to three times a week,” although these statements could not be independently verified.
Additionally, Lukashenko accused Poland of harboring ambitions to annex western territories of Belarus, suggesting an extended border up to Minsk under this alleged plan. This accusation further complicates the already strained relations between Belarus and its European neighbors, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the imposition of Western sanctions on both Russia and Belarus.
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