No Russian entities present on Belarusian border allegedly posing a security risk to Ukraine, GPSU claims.
The Lowdown on the Belarus Border: What's Going On?
Well, the scene at the border between Belarus and Ukraine isn't exactly peachy, but things haven't taken a drastic turn just yet. According to Andrei Demchenko, a rep from the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine (SBGSU), there's no Russian military lurking around in numbers that could potentially jeopardize Ukraine. However, he cautions that the situation remains volatile, with Russia potentially attempting another power play.
In an interview with Ukrinform, Demchenko shared that there's no imminent threat of a strike force forming near the border, but the enemy might cook something up from that direction. He also stressed that any movement of Russian troops crossing into Belarus wouldn't slip under their radar.
Now, let's dive into some history. In the past, President Volodymyr Zelensky hinted that Russia could be conjuring something in Belarus during the summer of 2025, using military exercises as a smokescreen. And in February, Zelensky warned that Russia planned to beef up the Belarusian frontier with a whopping 15 divisions and up to 150,000 troops in 2025.
The two countries are gearing up for joint exercises, dubbed "Zapad-2025," slated for September, which raises eyebrows as it's pretty close to NATO's eastern frontiers. Although these exercises mainly impact Belarus' borders with NATO states like Poland and Lithuania, they add fuel to the regional fire, affecting Ukraine's northern frontier as well.
However, it's worth noting that border crossings between the two countries have been relatively minimal. Belarusian reports indicate that just over 26,600 Ukrainian citizens entered Belarus between January and April, with the majority crossing through third countries like Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. Direct crossings account for a mere 16 individuals since January 2025.
With Ukraine implementing stricter controls for Belarusian citizens entering its territory, thorough document checks, and security interviews are the norm due to Belarus' alliance with Russia. Border guards even have the authority to deny entry without explanation under national security provisions.
So, while the border situation isn't a full-blown crisis yet, it's clear that both sides are keeping a close eye on each other. The focus seems to be more on monitoring any allied Russian-Belarusian military coordination rather than dealing with immediate border threats. Still, it pays to stay vigilant. After all, history has taught us that things can change in the blink of an eye.
Fun Fact: Did you know that Belarus is known as the "last dictatorship in Europe"? Its authoritarian president, Alexander Lukashenko, has been in power since 1994 and has suppressed opposition movements through violence and intimidation.
Sources:1. Ukraine's Zelensky warns of 'alarming' developments in Belarus during NATO summit2. Ukraine's Border Service Introduces Stricter Control for Belarusian Citizens3. Russia Military Exercises in Belarus: What you need to know4. Russia, Belarus to Hold Land, Air, and Sea Drills Amid NATO Worries5. Ukraine and Poland agree to joint efforts to ensure security amid heightened tensions with Russia
- Starting from September 2025, Russia and Belarus are scheduled to conduct a joint military exercise called "Zapad-2025," which is located near NATO's eastern borders, causing concern for neighboring countries such as Ukraine.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky suggested in the past that Russia may use military exercises as a cover to create something dangerous in Belarus, potentially in the summer of 2025.
- In an effort to prevent infiltration by Russian troops, Ukraine has implemented stricter controls for Belarusian citizens entering its territory, including thorough document checks and security interviews.
- As of April 2025, the number of Ukrainian citizens entering Belarus has been low, with only 26,600 individuals entering through third countries such as Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia, and a mere 16 individuals crossing directly since the start of the year.
