Belarus deploys troops and aircraft to Ukraine border

TALLINN, Estonia — In a significant military escalation, Belarus has deployed aircraft and air defense troops to its border with Ukraine, following President Alexander Lukashenko's announcement that nearly a third of the country's military forces would be stationed along the frontier. This move includes the deployment of anti-aircraft missiles and personnel from the radio-technical corps, as stated by Maj. Gen. Andrey Lukyanovich, commander of the Belarusian Air Defense Forces, during a national television broadcast. Lukashenko's directive, issued on Sunday, did not specify the exact number of troops being mobilized, but Belarus' military is estimated to comprise around 60,000 personnel. The president claimed this military buildup was a response to the deployment of additional Ukrainian troops along the 1,084-kilometer border, a claim that remains unverified by independent sources. Ukraine has not confirmed any reports regarding the Belarusian military's movements. Historically, Belarus has served as a strategic staging ground for Russia's military operations against Ukraine, facilitating troop movements and the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in 2023. The close ties between the two nations are underscored by Belarus' reliance on Russian financial support and energy resources. In a bid to de-escalate tensions, Lukashenko called for negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. However, he cited ongoing Ukrainian incursions into Russia's Kursk region as a barrier to meaningful dialogue, framing the situation as an attempt to provoke Moscow further.