August 26, Pozirk. Diplomats in Kyiv have called on Belarus not to make “tragic mistakes” under Russia’s pressure and to withdraw its forces from the Ukrainian border.
The statement comes as Russian troops are continuing their advance on Pokrovsk, a Ukrainian logistics hub in Donbas.
Citing intelligence data, the Ukrainian foreign ministry said that the Belarusians are massing significant forces in the Homiel region under the guise of exercises, including tanks, artillery, multiple rocket launchers, air defense systems and engineering equipment.
Mercenaries from the former Wagner Group, a Kremlin-linked military contractor, have also been spotted on Belarusian territory, it added.
“We are warning you that in the event of a violation of the Ukrainian state border from Belarus, our state will take all necessary measures to implement its right to self-defense, as guaranteed by the UN Charter,” the statement said.
At the same time, Andrii Kovalenko, head of the Ukrainian Center for Countering Disinformation, called the risks of an incursion from Belarus “purely informational.” The defense forces are in control of the situation, he said on Telegram.
