ASTANA (dpa-AFX) – In view of the Ukraine war, the ex-Soviet republic of Belarus, which is allied with Russia, has officially put its armed forces on increased alert as part of an “anti-terrorist operation”. “There was actually information that certain neighboring countries were planning provocations, including the occupation of individual areas of Belarus’ territory,” said Belarusian Interior Minister Vladimir Makey on Friday in an interview with the Kremlin-affiliated daily “Isvestia” in Astana, explaining the imposition of the anti-terrorist use. In this context, border controls would be tightened, among other things, he said.
For weeks there has been speculation that Minsk might join the war alongside Moscow. The Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko has always denied such intentions, but at the same time has strengthened military cooperation with Russia. Among other things, he announced at the beginning of the week that a joint military unit would be set up. At the beginning of the war, Russian units also attacked the Ukraine from Belarusian territory.
According to Makej, the so-called anti-terrorist operation is not used to prepare for an attack on Ukraine. “Will that lead to tensions between Belarus and its neighbors? Let’s see what’s happening on our western and southern borders. When politicians behave so irresponsibly, it’s easy to slide into World War III,” he threatened at the same time./bal/DP/ pc