Kremlin: Reports of Ukraine Strengthening Forces on Belarus Border are Concerning

The Russian presidency, "the Kremlin," stated on Monday that "reports indicating Ukraine is strengthening its troop presence along the border with Belarus are concerning." Last week, Belarus, a strong ally of Russia supporting Moscow's military operations in Ukraine, reported that Kyiv is bolstering its forces along the shared border between the two countries. In turn, the Ukrainian border guard denied reports suggesting that Ukraine is strengthening its troop deployment along the border with Belarus, stating that such reports amount to "information warfare" conducted by Minsk with support from Moscow. Border Guard spokesperson Andriy Demchenko told Ukrainian national television that "this is not the first time Belarus has provided information claiming Ukraine poses a threat and is reinforcing itself... this is another part of the information war being waged by Belarus with support from Russia." He added that the border area with Belarus remains "threatened" and that Ukraine is maintaining the necessary number of troops there to prevent any provocations.