News Feed

Belarus to transfer military equipment to Russia amid Ukraine's operation in Kursk Oblast, media says

2 min read
Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko ordered the transfer of Belarusian military equipment to the Russian Armed Forces
Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko was seen in Minsk, Belarus, on Nov. 23, 2023. (Contributor/Getty Images)

Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko ordered the transfer of some of Belarusian military equipment to the Russian Armed Forces for reinforcement in Kursk Oblast and other sectors of the front line, Belarusian outlet Belnovosti reported on Aug. 13.

The recent delivery of Belarusian military equipment is related to "an urgent request from the Russian side" due to losses and a lack of equipment in Kursk Oblast and other areas, Belnovosti said, citing an undisclosed source in the country's defense ministry.

Ukraine's cross-border incursion into neighboring Kursk Oblast began on Aug. 6, and by Aug. 13, Ukraine said it controlled 74 settlements in the region.

Lukashenko also sent equipment to Russia in 2022 when the allied country launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine and had difficulties with its arsenal.

Now Belarus supplies ammunition and equipment directly from combat units, not warehouses, indicating the draining of Belarusian stockpiles, according to Belnovosti's sources.

Lukashenko previously ordered strengthening the military presence in the Gomel and Mozyr directions, including sending the Polonez rocket systems and Iskander mid-range ballistic missile complexes there.

On the Ukrainian side, the area borders Kyiv, Zhytomyr, and Chernihiv oblasts.

On Aug. 12, State Border Guard Service spokesperson Andrii Demchenko said Ukraine does not spot additional Belarusian troops being deployed to the border amid Minsk's claims of reinforcing the border.

Demchenko called Minsk's actions "a whipping up to play along with Russia." The spokesperson did not rule out that Belarus could take photos and videos "for information influence."

Avatar
Kateryna Hodunova

News Editor

Kateryna Hodunova is a News Editor at the Kyiv Independent. She previously worked as a sports journalist in several Ukrainian outlets and was the deputy chief editor at Suspilne Sport. Kateryna covered the 2022 Olympics in Beijing and was included in the Special Mentions list at the AIPS Sport Media Awards. She holds a bachelor's degree in political journalism from Taras Shevchenko University and a master's degree in political science from the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.

Read more
News Feed

During a meeting with Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal on July 12, President Volodymyr Zelensky stressed the need to take additional "more decisive" steps to protect Ukraine's energy infrastructure and emphasized the importance of robust winter preparedness plans for communities and regions.

 (Updated:  )

Yulia Svyrydenko, who replaced former Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal in July 2025, will now take on a new role leading cooperation with Ukraine’s key partners, Zelensky announced on social media.

Video

Once promoted by the Kremlin as a symbol of Russia’s resurgence and a premier tourist destination, the peninsula now faces mounting pressure from Ukrainian drone strikes targeting military infrastructure, logistics, and supply routes.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on July 11 that he is preparing changes to Ukraine’s “diplomatic efforts” to accelerate weapons deliveries from allies, as Ukraine's stockpile of Patriot air defense missiles has run dry.

Show More