News Feed

Pentagon: No sign yet of offensive against Ukraine from Belarus

1 min read

The U.S. doesn't see signs of an imminent threat of an offensive against Ukraine from Belarus, Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder said during a briefing on Jan. 12.

"We continue to closely monitor what we know to be excessive engagements with Belarusian forces by Russian forces, but there are currently no signs of any type of offensive action that appears imminent," he said.

Last week, Belarus' Defense Ministry announced a joint Russian-Belarussian tactical flight exercise from Jan. 16 to Feb. 1.

At least 12 Mi-8 support helicopters and Mi-24 and Ka-52 attack helicopters landed at Machulishchy airbase near Minsk.

On Jan. 11, the U.K. Defense Ministry said the new deployment of Russian aircraft to Belarus is likely a genuine exercise rather than preparation for any additional offensive operations against Ukraine.

On the same day, Belarusian monitoring group Belarusian Hajun reported that Russia sent yet another military convoy to Belarus, consisting of a total of 40 train wagons carrying military personnel and equipment. According to the watchdog, 750 Russian soldiers may have arrived with this convoy in Belarus.

Avatar
The Kyiv Independent news desk

We are the news team of the Kyiv Independent. We are here to make sure our readers get quick, essential updates about the events in Ukraine. Feel free to contact us via email with feedback and news alerts.

Read more
News Feed
Russia

The unnamed project, lacking a defined team or political platform, seeks to offer an alternative to the Kremlin at a time when Russia's opposition operates largely from abroad and remains fractured, with its ability to influence domestic politics remaining low.

Video

Hungary is heading into what could be its most consequential election in decades — and Ukraine has become a central issue in the campaign. The Kyiv Independent’s Martin Fornusek reports from Budapest, where Prime Minister Viktor Orban, after 16 years in power, is facing his strongest challenge yet from opposition leader Peter Magyar.

Show More