In a move raising regional tensions, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko has ordered the reinforcement of military forces along the Gomel and Mozyr tactical directions, which border Ukraine’s Kyiv and Chernihiv regions.
This escalation includes the deployment of special operations forces, ground troops, and missile units, including the Polonez multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) and Iskander missile complexes.
“The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces has instructed to strengthen the grouping of troops in the Gomel and Mozyr tactical directions,” the Belarusian defense ministry announced. “Military units from special operations forces, ground troops, and missile troops, including Polonez MLRS and Iskander complexes, have been tasked with marching to designated areas.”
Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council’s Center for Countering Disinformation, responded to the Belarusian military maneuvers. He described the buildup as a “diversionary tactic” aimed at helping Russian President Vladimir Putin by distracting Ukrainian forces.
The Polonez MLRS is a Belarusian adaptation of the Chinese GATSS multi-functional rocket system, mounted on a Belarusian MZKT-7930 “Astrolog” wheeled chassis. The system uses Chinese A200 missiles, capable of striking targets up to 200 kilometers away.
The Iskander operational-tactical missile system, of Russian origin, is designed to destroy enemy air defense systems and other strategic targets. With a reported range of up to 500 kilometers, Iskander missiles stationed in Belarus can threaten nearly all of Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia, as well as much of Ukraine.
This latest move by Lukashenko adds to the growing concern over Belarus’s role in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. While Belarus has not officially entered the conflict, its military movements and cooperation with Moscow continue to draw scrutiny from Kyiv and its Western allies.