Belarus unlikely to invade Ukraine but possibility can’t be ruled out - Kyiv Defense Forces chief

This was announced in an interview with Ukrinform by Oleksandr Pavliuk, Commander of the Kyiv Defense Group.

"The illegitimate leadership of the Republic of Belarus continues to aggravate the situation around the alleged military threat from Ukraine and the spread of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict to their country’s territory. Under the guise of these fabrications, they are stepping up efforts to increase defense capabilities and strengthen the Belarusian-Ukrainian border. To this end, they have increased the intensity of operational and combat training efforts, updating their mobilization potential, and developing the territorial defense system. They plan to create the Southern Operational Command to be responsible for the Ukrainian direction," the commander said.

According to Pavliuk, the Command will be headquartered in Gomel. Military units are set to be filled with conscripts and contractors from mobilization reserve.

"Given the use of the Belarus territory by Russian occupation forces to carry out aggression against Ukraine, Belarus has actually become a party to conflict. In the near future, the participation of the Belarus forces in aggression against Ukraine is unlikely, but it isn’t completely ruled out," Pavliuk said.