Lukashenko orders withdrawal of troops from border with Ukraine

That's according to the BelTA news agency, which quoted Lukashenko as saying at a meeting in the Luninets district on ensuring the country's military security in the southern operational area, Ukrinform reports.

"I want people to know, I am absolutely convinced and trust our intelligence: the situation on the Belarusian-Ukrainian border has said," Lukashenko said.

He noted that Ukrainian troops had been withdrawn, so Belarus should take a similar step. He noted that Belarus was not going to fight and concentrate its armed forces on the border with Ukraine, with the exception of special operations forces.

He appealed to the commander of the Belarusian special operations forces, Vadim Denisenko, with a request to withdraw troops from the southern border to their permanent bases.

"If it is necessary to withdraw the troops somewhere, withdraw them. There should be no unnecessary measures," Lukashenko said.

On July 11, Ukraine's State Border Guard Service spokesperson Andrii Demchenko stated that there was currently no movement of equipment or personnel of Belarusian or Russian army units, or activity of subversive intelligence groups on the border with Belarus.

Photo: BelTA