WW3 fears grow as Belarus vows 'provocation will not go unanswered' after drones

WW3 fears as Belarus vows 'provocation will not go unanswered' after 'Ukraine's attack'

After shooting down several "aerial targets" believed to be invading from Ukraine, Belarus has bolstered its military might along its border with the neighboring country.

The Russian ally, which hasn't yet participated in combat with its own troops in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, intercepted and destroyed these objectson the evening of August 9 in what it called a purposeful "provocation".

Following President Putin's recent troubles, the unyielding leader of Belarus, often dubbed 'Europe's last dictator', Alexander Lukashenko, reacted sharply to what is perceived as an act of defiance, asserting that such maneuvres "will not go unanswered".

Citing words from the Balta News Agency, the staunch Putin ally stated: "I do not understand why Ukraine needs this. We need to figure it out. As I said before, we made it clear to them that any provocations will not go unanswered."

It was later explained by the Belarusian Defence Ministry that the downed crafts were unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which were spotted just past 6 pm local time.

The ministry elaborated on the incident, stating: "At 18:29, the duty crews of Su-30SM aircraft and Mi-24 helicopters on combat duty were raised. At 18:58, one of the anti-aircraft missile regiments from the duty forces detected aerial targets, which were taken for tracking and identified as unmanned aerial vehicles."

"At 19:04, the targets were destroyed. Aircraft located outside the airspace of the Republic of Belarus were transferred for tracking to the air defence forces and means of the Russian Federation and were also destroyed."

Belarus, while not directly engaging in combat within Ukraine since the 2022 invasion began, has been a key ally to Russia, providing a launchpad for Russian troops entering Ukraine at the start of the conflict, as reported by Express US.

Continuing its support for Russia, Belarus is hosting Russian military personnel and equipment on its territory. At the same time, a notable number of Belarusian dissidents are said to be fighting for Ukraine.

After a daring Ukrainian incursion into Russian territory, with a squad moving into the Kursk region, Belarus sounded the alarm over what it called "provocation". Unverified videos circulating online seem to show Ukrainian and Georgian fighters taking control of a village in Russia's Belgorod oblast.

The recent drone intrusion and the presence of Ukrainian forces on Russian soil have escalated tensions, prompting Belarus's Defence Ministry to confirm that it has moved troops closer to the Ukrainian border, including special forces and missile systems.

The ministry has outlined the measures being taken in response to the Ukrainian situation and activities in Russia's Kursk region, saying: "Considering the situation developing in Ukraine, as well as in the Kursk region of Russia, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces gave instructions to strengthen the group of troops in the Gomel and Mozyr tactical directions in order to respond to any possible provocations."

They detailed military responses, noting that: "Military units of the special operations forces, ground forces, and missile forces, including the Polonez rocket systems and Iskander complexes, were tasked with marching to designated areas."

Additionally, they mentioned enhancements to their defensive capabilities stating: "The forces and means of the anti-aircraft missile forces, radiotechnical troops and aviation have also been built up. We are closely monitoring the situation and are ready to respond to any changes."

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