Belarus to move military equipment and forces for check on terrorism response

Belarus moved its military equipment and security personnel on Wednesday and Thursday (7-8 December) to ensure that it is able to respond to terrorist acts, according to the state BelTA news agency.

According to the Security Council of the country: "During this period it is planned that military equipment and personnel from the national security forces will be moved."

"The movement of citizens (transport), along certain public roads or areas, would be restricted. The use of imitation weapons is planned for training purposes."

It was not clear which parts of the country might be affected.

Belarus has stated that it will not join the conflict in Ukraine. However, President Alexander Lukashenko ordered troops to be deployed with Russian forces close to the Ukrainian border in the past, citing threats from Kyiv, the West, and Belarus.

Belarus and Russia are officially part of the "union state", and are close allied militarily and economically. Russia uses Belarus as a base for its 24 February invasion of Ukraine.

Ukraine has warned for months about its fears that Russia and Belarus could plan a joint invasion of Ukraine's northern border.

Last week the Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu met with Viktor Khrenin, his Belarusian counterpart to discuss military co-operation.

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