Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin have agreed to deploy a "joint regional group of troops" of Belarus and Russia
"In connection with the aggravation on the western borders of the Union State, we have agreed to deploy a regional group [of troops] of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus. This is all according to our documents. If the level of threat reaches the current level, as it is now, we begin to involve the group of the Union State. The basis is the army, the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus," Lukashenka said following a meeting with the top brass.
According to him, the formation of the group began two days ago.
Earlier, Lukashenka repeatedly claimed that Ukraine is "preparing a strike" against Belarus, using it as reason to justify Belrusian assistance to the Russian army in the invasion. On 6 October, air strikes were launched from Belarus against Ukraine, for the first time since the end of August.
On 4 October, Lukashenka confirmed that Belarus was helping Russia in its war against Ukrainians.
On 9 October, Ukraine's Ambassador to Minsk, Ihor Kyzym, was summoned to the Belarusian Foreign Ministry and handed a diplomatic note stating that Ukraine was allegedly planning a strike on the territory of Belarus.
This information is not true, Ukraine categorically rejects the latest insinuations of the Belarusian regime.
During the massive attack on Ukraine on 10 October, Shahed attack drones were reported to be launched from Belarus.