Ukrainian Intelligence Services: Belarus is a potential springboard for Russian invasion
The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense considers Belarus to be a possible springboard for a Russian invasion.
Radio Liverty reports that this was stated by Vadym Skibitsky, Spokesperson of the Main Military Intelligence Directorate (HUR MOU).
According to Skibitsky, Ukrainian intelligence is keeping an eye on all operations arranged by Russia on the territory of Belarus.
Skibitsky noted that Russian units, in particular airborne troops, conducted many combat training activities on the territory of Belarus in 2016 and 2017.
"Airfields were studied, the territory was studied, [and we discovered that] there were exits to the Ukrainian border. We believe that a threat from the north exists," the HUR MOU spokesman said.
In 2017, the Zapad military exercises took place on the territory of Belarus, as well as partly in Russia. According to official data, the exercises covered training facilities and two terrains across Belarus and involved the participation of 10,200 servicemen.
Belarus’ neighboring countries, including the Baltic states and Ukraine, were concerned that Russia would use the Zapad-2017 exercises to aggressively develop its military presence in the region, which is on the eastern flank of NATO, and turn Belarus into a springboard for a potential offensive against Ukraine.
Minsk and Moscow made assurances that the joint Zapad-2017 Russian-Belarusian exercises were of a "defensive" nature and stated that all Russian servicemen who participated left the territory of Belarus after its conclusion.