Вадим Кабанчук. Фото: ОПК
The representative for defense and national security of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Vadzim Kabanchuk, said that statements by Belarusian Defense Minister Viktar Khrenin denying the construction of fortified areas along the border with Ukraine do not correspond to reality.
Earlier, following a report to Aliaksandr Lukashenka on July 22, Khrenin said that Belarus was not building fortified areas in the southern direction. According to him, reports about the construction of military infrastructure near the Ukrainian border are part of an information campaign.
“This is being done for only one purpose: to create tension in our society, as well as in Ukrainian society, driving a wedge between us and portraying us as bitter enemies. This has no basis in reality,” he said.
The Belarusian defense minister claimed that five fortified areas had already been established along the country’s western and northern borders, but that no such construction was planned along the border with Ukraine. He said the work in southern Belarus was related to the development of the Palessie region, including road and bridge repairs and the creation of recreational areas.
Kabanchuk noted that the Belarusian authorities had previously made statements that were later contradicted by subsequent events. According to him, satellite imagery, as well as photographs and videos, confirm the construction of new defensive facilities in certain sections of the Belarusian-Ukrainian border.
“We can see that work to strengthen the border with Ukraine has been underway for several years,” the UTC representative said.
He also recalled that before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Belarusian and Russian officials had denied any plans for war, yet Belarusian territory was subsequently used to launch the attack on Ukraine.
In Kabanchuk’s view, statements by the Belarusian authorities should not be regarded as grounds for lowering vigilance regarding potential threats.
“The Belarusian democratic forces, Ukraine, and neighboring countries should prepare for the worst-case scenario and be ready for possible threats in advance,” he said, calling on the international community to pay particular attention to countering disinformation.
Ukraine has previously said that Belarus was constructing ammunition and fuel storage facilities, as well as road infrastructure for military purposes near the Ukrainian border.