[キーウ ２０日 ロイター] – Ukrainian Defense Minister Reznikov said on Thursday that Russia could prepare strike forces in Belarus to launch a new offensive against Ukraine, but hoped Belarus would not go to war.
Defense Minister Reznikov told Ukrainian television there was so far no evidence that Russia would begin forming an offensive fighting force in Belarus or that Belarus would be drawn into invading Ukraine. “I don’t think it’s in the interests of the Belarusian leadership to waste military power,” he said, “I hope the current balance is maintained.”
While Belarus did not directly participate in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainian officials say Russian forces have continued to attack Ukraine using Belarusian airfields since the invasion began on February 24.
Rezhnikov’s remarks came after Ukraine’s chief military commander Serhiy Nayev said Russian planes were training in Belarusian airspace to identify Ukrainian targets for missile strikes, calling Ukraine’s military a “threat”.
Ukrainian officials, including Defense Minister Reznikov, have suggested that Russia could go on the offensive in winter. Russian President Vladimir Putin, accompanied by his defense and foreign ministers, visited Belarus on Friday and met with President Lukashenko, saying Russia wants to play a more direct role in Belarus over its invasion of Ukraine.
