A rare visit to the Belarusian capital by Russian President Vladimir Putin fueled the speculation that Russia is seeking acquiescence in Belarus after the dismal failure to seize Kyiv last winter.
The Russian troops that survived the failed offensive on Kyiv were pulled out of Belarus and relocated to eastern Ukraine last spring. But in October, Moscow announced that Russian troops would return to Belarus and at least 10,000 have arrived, ostensibly for training and exercises with Belarusian forces.
Former military officers working with the Belarusian opposition in exile say they believe the activity points to a plan to invade Ukraine by spring. Alexander Azarov, a former lieutenant colonel in the Belarusian KGB intelligence service, said his contacts in the military tell him the training has involved maneuvers that would be required in an invasion, including river crossings.
But there is no reason to believe a new invasion from Belarus would fare better than the first, said Dara Massicot, a senior policy researcher at the Rand Corporation. Russia may simply be trying to distract the Ukrainian military by forcing it to commit troops to defend the northern border, Massicot said.
It would also be politically risky for Lukashenko to commit Belarusian forces to an invasion of Ukraine, said Franak Viacorka, chief adviser to the Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tsikhanouskaya.Lukashenko’s legitimacy has been in doubt since he claimed victory in an election in 2020 that the opposition claims was rigged, triggering widespread protests. He now relies on Putin for support, but could face a new uprising if he were to send Belarusian troops across the border, Viacorka said.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ukraine shoots down 30 Iranian-made drones in brutal Kyiv assault—militaryThe escalation came as Russian President Vladimir Putin paid a rare state visit to ally Belarus.
Read more »
Putin heads for Belarus as Russian drones target Ukrainian capitalRussian President Putin heads for Belarus, fueling Ukrainian fears he intends to pressure his ally to join a new offensive, as Russian drones attack Kyiv in the latest assault targeting key infrastructure, Ukrainian officials say.
Read more »
Russian ‘kamikaze’ drones hit Kyiv as Putin arrives in BelarusMoscow launched a “kamikaze” drone attack on Monday, hitting key infrastructure in and around Kyiv.
Read more »
Russian 'kamikaze' drones hit Kyiv as Putin heads for BelarusRussian President Vladimir Putin heads for Belarus, fueling Ukrainian fears he intends to pressure his ally to join a new offensive, as Russian drones attacked Kyiv in the latest assault targeting key infrastructure, Ukrainian officials said
Read more »