Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has accused neighbouring Ukraine of sending 15,000 troops to the border area to build defences and conduct reconnaissance, actions that he called “provocations”.
Lukashenko allowed his close ally Russia in February to use Belarus as a staging post for Moscow’s “special military operation” in Ukraine. However, he has said Belarus is not a party to the conflict and that its own forces are not involved.
In comments carried by the state news agency BelTA, Lukashenko said the Ukrainian unit brought up to the border had blocked roads and was setting up checkpoints and firing positions.
Ukrainian officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
