Lukashenka Says Latvia Staged Border Provocation Against Itself

Reform.news Editorial Team · 13 October 2026, 12:13

https://reform.news/en/lukashenka-says-latvia-staged-border-provocation-against-itself/

Aliaksandr Lukashenka believes that the incident on the Belarusian-Latvian border was staged by Latvian services themselves. According to his theory, the incident, like reports about possible acts of aggression by Russia, including from Belarusian territory, reflects neighbouring countries’ desire to secure funding for military needs.

“We know perfectly well, and I have already been briefed on this, that the whole thing was staged by the Latvians themselves as a pretext to obtain money from the European Union. We have absolutely nothing to do with it. The claims that we entered their territory — that people in masks, military personnel, seized someone, captured someone or pushed a group of migrants across the border — are utterly absurd,” Lukashenka said at a meeting devoted to the results of an inspection of the combat readiness of the 7th Separate Special Police Brigade of the Interior Ministry’s Internal Troops, his press service reported.

Earlier, Latvia reported a provocation on its border with Belarus. Initially, people dressed in black, their faces covered by masks and reportedly armed, pushed migrants onto the Latvian side. Later, people of the same description crossed the border, stole surveillance cameras and returned to Belarusian territory. A few days later, a video appeared online in the name of an organisation calling itself the “Black Rus”, which claimed responsibility for the incident.

Lukashenka’s main argument in support of his claim that the incident was staged is that such a provocation could only have been carried out with his personal authorisation, and nothing of the kind had been agreed with him.

“Operations of this kind, involving entry into the territory of a neighbouring state, are impossible without the president’s approval. Nothing of this sort was agreed with me. Therefore, it did not happen. I know this for certain, because your discipline and obedience are beyond question,” he said.

Lukashenka also claimed that media reports about an alleged threat from Belarus and Russia serve the same purpose: securing and spending military budgets.

“This nonsense directed against us is constantly being amplified in the media. There is no other word for it.

They need money. Neither the three Baltic states, former republics of the Soviet Union, nor Poland have sufficient resources to satisfy their demands, especially in the military sphere. Poland is buying tanks and other weapons, which are expensive these days. There is no firewood for the population, but tanks and other military equipment still have to be purchased,” he added.

Lukashenka himself, while preparing for war, says he is doing so only to prevent one. He once again assured that he has no intention of attacking anyone.

“You have probably noticed the close attention that our so-called Western partners have recently been paying in the media to developments in our armed forces. What has particularly concerned them is the fact that we have been inspecting military units too frequently, and doing so in a very focused and intensive manner. This applies not only to the army but to all the armed forces.

Taking this opportunity, I want to tell them that there is nothing extraordinary about what is happening here. I have stated openly and honestly that we are preparing for war in order to prevent it. We have no intention of attacking anyone, despite the campaign recently launched by our Western ‘friends’ in the media, claiming that Russia will attack the Baltic states and may possibly attack Poland from Belarusian territory, together with Belarus.

The second line of criticism directed at Belarus is the claim that we intend to break through the Suwałki Corridor towards the Kaliningrad Region. I do not intend to justify myself to them. This is complete nonsense,” he said.

Lukashenka sees a similar motive behind statements concerning nuclear issues.

“They have begun openly exploiting the issue of strengthening nuclear capabilities. They now call it Europe’s nuclear shield. Yet, given the aggressive plans of certain European countries and their leaders, which have been voiced repeatedly, it would be more appropriate to speak not of a shield but of a sword in the hands of reckless politicians. They must understand and recognise that this sword cuts both ways. I am talking about nuclear weapons,” he warned.