Demonstrative military exercises of Belarus near the Polish and Ukrainian borders are designed to create tension in the region. The presence of Belarusian forces near Ukraine should deter troops from further deployment to the east, the press service of the British Ministry of Defense reports..

After the start of military exercises, the leadership of Belarus announced the deployment of special operations forces, air defense units along the border with Ukraine. The potential threat on the northwestern border is likely to deter the Ukrainian military leadership from moving the Armed Forces from these regions to the war zone in the east of the country.

Despite rumors, Belarus has not yet taken a direct part in the war. However, the territory of the country was actively used as a springboard for the initial Russian offensive against Kyiv and Chernihiv, as well as an airfield from which air attacks on Ukrainian cities were periodically carried out..

Belarus President Lukashenko is likely balancing support for a Russian invasion with a desire to avoid direct military intervention at the risk of Western sanctions, Ukrainian retaliation and possible resentment of the Belarusian military..

Latest Defense Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 16 May 2022Received from more than United Kingdom UK's response: https://t. co/DAnpcubog6? #StandWithUkraine? pic. twitter. com/moSLR5a4DL.

— Ministry of Defense? (@DefenceHQ) May 16, 2022.

Earlier, Alexander Lukashenko stated that Belarus would not participate in the "