President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, has claimed that Kyiv has stationed over 120,000 soldiers along the border with Belarus. This statement was made through the Belarusian state news agency BelTA as fighting continues in connection with Ukraine’s incursion into Russia’s Kursk region. In an interview with Russian state television, Lukashenko stated that Minsk has mobilized nearly one-third of its armed forces along the entire border in response to the Ukrainian troop buildup. He added that Belarusian forces will be in place for protection in the event of war.
“We have deployed and positioned our military along the entire border as a response to their aggressive policies,” BelTA quoted Lukashenko as saying. Specific details regarding the number of troops stationed by Belarus were not disclosed, but according to the assessment by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, Belarus has a professional army of approximately 48,000 soldiers.
Lukashenko’s comments come amidst a Ukrainian offensive that began on August 6, where Ukraine engaged in operations in Russia through the Kursk region, resulting in significant losses for the Russian military. Over the weekend, Ukrainian forces targeted several sites in the Kursk region. Earlier on Sunday, Ukrainian drones attacked an oil depot in Russia’s southern Rostov region, leading to a significant fuel fire, according to the regional governor.
“In the southeastern part of Rostov region, air defense successfully repelled a drone attack,” Governor Vasily Golubev said in a statement. No injuries were reported following the strike. Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that its military shot down five Ukrainian drones overnight, including two over the Rostov region. Ukrainian forces also claimed to have thwarted a rocket attack on the capital, Kyiv, which has experienced multiple missile strikes throughout August.
“This is the third ballistic missile attack on the capital in August,” stated the Kyiv City Military Administration on Telegram. Drones were also reported heading towards Kyiv, but according to authorities, these were destroyed far from the city.
North Korea has condemned Ukraine’s attacks on Russia as an unforgivable act of terrorism supported by Washington and the West, promising further support to Russia in its efforts to protect its sovereignty.
Additionally, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has warned that the security situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine has “deteriorated” following a drone attack nearby. IAEA Director Rafael Grossi expressed serious concern and urged maximum restraint from all parties involved. “The nuclear safety situation at the plant is deteriorating,” Grossi stated, fearing extensive military activities in the area.