A senior official in the Russian Foreign Ministry said today (Friday) that Belarus may join the war in Ukraine, if Kyiv decides to "invade" Russia or its ally.
Russia used Belarus as an entry point for the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and since October has stationed troops in the country for joint military exercises.
The two countries agreed to expand military cooperation and raised concerns that Moscow could use the ally to launch a new attack on Ukraine from the north.
In an interview with the TASS news agency, Alexei Polishchuk said that Russia's joint exercises with Belarus should prevent escalation, but warned that Belarus might join the war in Ukraine if it invades Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday that his country must "be ready" on the border with Belarus.
"We understand that except for big statements, we don't see anything significant there, but even so,
The destruction in the city of Soldar (photo: screenshot, Twitter)
The destruction in the city of Soldar (photo: screenshot, Twitter)
The destruction in the city of Soldar (photo: screenshot, Twitter)
On the ground, hundreds of civilians are trapped in the city of Soldar, according to a Ukrainian report, amid the bloody fighting for control of the mining town in eastern Ukraine.
The governor of Gadoniytsk, Pavlo Kirilenko, told Ukrainian television that 559 citizens remained in the city, including 15 children, and it was impossible to evacuate them.
Ukraine reported yesterday that its soldiers were "holding out" in the fighting in Soldar, dismissing claims by the Russian militia and Wagner that its forces had taken over the city.
The Kremlin has not yet declared victory in Soldar.
Taking control of the city would be Moscow's first significant achievement in the last six months.
Satellite images of the MAXAR company, published by Ukraine this week, reveal the terrible destruction in the city after months of fighting.
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