Belarus’ Lukashenko Visits Russian Troops, Declares “Common Cause”

Via ZeroHedge

Ever since President Vladimir Putin’s Dec.19 visit to Belarus, there have been persisting fears of a major new offensive on Ukraine being readied from the north with Belarusian army help. This as Russian heavy equipment has continued to be transferred to Belarusian territory.

“Minsk’s defence ministry says a train carrying Russian troops and equipment has arrived in Belarus,” as cited in international reports. “Belarus, who is a close Moscow ally, said it would receive more weapons and equipment from Russia on Thursday as the two boost their military cooperation.”

The two countries have been conducting joint drills of late, precisely as they were just prior to the initial major Feb.24 invasion of Ukraine. All of this is stoking fears Belarus is poised to join Russia in fighting the Ukrainians as part of the so-called ‘Union State’.

Belarus could be used as a staging post to attack Ukraine from the north. Last month Minsk condemned an incident wherein it said Belarusian anti-air defenses shot down a Ukrainian S-300 that flew across the border – though it was reportedly an ‘errant’ missile.

On Friday, Belarus’ defense ministry announced that President Alexander Lukashenko paid a visit to a military base where Russian troops are stationed, in but the latest sign of Belarus’ growing support to Russian efforts in Ukraine.

“At this stage, units of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation are ready to carry out tasks as intended,” a defense ministry official said, describing that Lukashenko discussed ongoing joint drills with Russian commanders. Lukashenko himself reportedly referred to the conflict in Ukraine as part of his country’s “common cause” with Russia.

The Ukrainian government, meanwhile, has continued to charge that Russia is using Belarusian territory to launch drones as it targets energy infrastructure.

READ MORE HERE