Lukashenko establishes a new military command in Belarus’s south for borders of Ukraine

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko announced the formation of a new military command for the country’s south, which borders Ukraine

“A new front has opened, and we must not fail to pay attention to it,” Lukashenko told a televised meeting of defence leaders, dressed in military gear.

He explained that the new command had been recommended last year but that it needed to be established right away.

“We are obligated today – even before we create it – to figure out the defence of our southern borders fast, on the run,” Lukashenko added.

Belarus is a staunch friend of Russia, and it permitted Russia to commence the northern leg of its invasion of Ukraine on February 24 from Belarusian soil.

Any build-up of Belarusian soldiers along the border will put Ukraine’s military under even more strain as it defends against Russian attacks aimed at the Donbas region hundreds of miles (km) to the east.

Belarus announced earlier this month that it will deploy special operations forces in three districts near the Ukrainian border, while Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko emphasized the need of Russian-made missiles in bolstering the country’s defences.