Despite recent warnings from Kiev, the prospect of a Russian attack from Belarus is unlikely for now, Reuters reported. This is due to overflowing riverbanks, thick mud and waterlogged fields for miles around Ukraine’s northwestern border with Belarus.
Ukrainian officials warn of a potential Russian attack from the territory Belarus. Authorities in Moscow and Minsk have strengthened their joint military groupings in Belarus and plan to conduct air exercises next week, Reuters reported.
The Volhynian Territorial Defense Brigade, one of hundreds of Ukrainian units recruited among the local population, who wants to defend their communities, guards against a potential attack in the dense forests and treacherous swamps.
The beaver population may make it difficult for a Russian attack from BelarusShutterstock – illustration photo
The Ukrainian military admits that the unusually mild winter gave them a significant tactical advantage. “In our area, everything can help us defend it: the landscape and the many rivers that burst their banks this year,” said one of the defense commanders, Viktor Rokun. Fields and forests were under water.
Unit spokesman Serhiy Khominsky said help in making the area uninhabitable also came from an unexpected ally: the local beaver population. “When they build their dams, usually people destroy them, but they didn’t this year because of the war, so now there’s water everywhere,” he said.
Zelensky: We should be prepared
“We don’t see anything powerful there, other than strong declarations, but we should be prepared,” the Ukrainian president said Volodymyr Zelenskyreferring to the situation on the Belarusian border.
President Ukraine listened to a report on activities in the fight against sabotage, the condition of fortifications on the border, as well as on the supply of troops and border services in the regions bordering on Belarus.
According to the announcement of the Ministry of Defense of Belarus, from January 16 to February 1, joint operations will be held on the territory of the country Russia air force maneuvers. Since the beginning of the war against Ukraine, Belarus has been supporting Russia by making its territory available to it; according to independent media, it also provides arms, ammunition and military equipment to Russia.
Main photo source: Shutterstock – illustration photo