Is the Kremlin throwing Minsk into the “furnace of war”? Belarus Moves Troops, Missiles to Ukraine Border

Saber sounds from Minsk
Belarus Moves Troops, Missiles to Ukraine Border

August 10, 2024, 7:04 pm

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Fighting in the Kursk region puts Moscow under increasing pressure. At the same time, Belarusian dictator Lukashenko is reportedly shooting down Ukrainian drones — and sending troops to the border. East European expert Friedman fears the Kremlin could throw Belarus “into the furnace of its war.”

The Foreign Ministry in Minsk warned against an escalation of the conflict after Ukrainian fighter drones reportedly entered Belarusian airspace. Such “criminal acts” could lead to a serious escalation of the situation, according to the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, state agency Belda. They are “a dangerous attempt to expand the current conflict zone in our region.” Belarus exercises its right to self-defense and will respond appropriately to any provocation or hostile action.

Ruler Alexander Lukashenko had previously reported the alleged shooting down of several Ukrainian air targets. Anti-aircraft defenses were put on full alert after about ten flying objects from Ukraine entered Belarusian airspace in the Kostyukovichi region in the east of the country, Lukashenko said of the incident this evening.

In view of the “situation in Ukraine and the Russian Kursk region,” Lukashenko ordered the reinforcement of Belarusian troops along the border with Ukraine, Defense Minister Viktor Grenin said in Minsk. In addition, Iskander ballistic missiles and Bologna rocket launchers were ordered to be moved to the region.

Historian: Kremlin may decide to throw Belarus into “furnace of war”

Eastern Europe expert Alexander Friedman sees current military operations in Belarus as a response to Ukrainian advances in Russia’s Kursk region. Ukraine was able to capture several cities during the five days of fighting there. “If the events in the Kursk region continue to develop in a negative situation for the Russian Federation, an emergency situation may arise in which the Kremlin decides to push the Belarusian army into the furnace of its war. And Lukashenko knows this”, wrote the historian of the University of Düsseldorf in Telegram.

Belarus supports Russia in its war of aggression against Ukraine. At the start of the war nearly two and a half years ago, the country ceded its territory to Russian troops to occupy northern Ukraine. There is always the fear that Belarus will enter the war directly.