Belarus declares “anti terrorist operation” |

In view of the war in Ukraine, the former Soviet republic of Belarus, an ally of Russia, has put its armed forces on redoubled alert as part of an “anti-terrorist operation”. “A growing threat of terrorism has been declared” and “procedures related to the establishment of a joint military unit (with Russia) have been initiated,” Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko said Friday on Russian state television on the sidelines of the Astana summit.

For weeks there had been speculation that Minsk could join the war on Moscow’s side. Lukashenko always denied such intentions, but at the same time strengthened military cooperation with Russia. Among other things, he announced earlier this week that a joint military unit would be created. At the beginning of the war, Russian units also attacked Ukraine from Belarusian territory.

According to the Belarusian Interior Minister Vladimir Makej, the launch of the so-called counter-terrorist operation does not serve to prepare an attack on Ukraine. “Will this lead to tensions between Belarus and its neighbors? Let’s see what is happening on our western and southern borders. When politicians behave so irresponsibly, it is easy to slide into World War III,” he threatened in an interview with the newspaper. affiliated with the Kremlin. “Izvestia”.