Russian bombers patrol over Belarus's borders

Russia has sent nuclear-skilled bombers to patrol the western borders of Belarus, authorities in Minsk said on December 18th, as tensions have increased throughout Eastern Europe.

Two Tu-22M3 bombers, accompanied by Su-30 fighter planes. Russian Air Force SM and Belarus conducted patrols.

This was the third mission of its kind to have been carried out in this area this month.

Tensions between Russia and the West have increased due to the gathering of Russian troops bordering Ukraine. At the same time, Belarus's reports with the European Union have deteriorated due to the immigrant crisis, while the EU says Minsk has sparked the immigrant crisis.

Officials in Kiev have expressed fears that Moscow could use Belarus's territory to support an attack on Ukraine.

The United States and NATO have warned of “major consequences” if Russia attacks Ukraine.

However, British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said on December 18th for the Spectator magazine that “has the least likely” for NATO member states to send troops to protect Ukraine from a Russian attack.

“Ukrainian) It is not a NATO member state and it is unlikely that someone will send troops to Ukraine to challenge Russia”, Wallace said.

We shouldn't tell people we're gonna do this. Ukrainians are aware of this task”, he added.

Wallace stressed that Britain would continue to help Ukraine build its defence capacities and again warned Moscow of “severe economic sanctions” including Moscow's departure from the network for international payment, SWIFT dealt with Ukraine.

Tensions between Moscow and Kiev have been high since 2014 Russia annexed the Ukrainian Crime Peninsula and launched military, political and economic support for separatists struggling east of Ukraine.

Moscow denies that it is directly involved in the conflict east of Ukraine, despite numerous evidence saying otherwise.

Western analysts say Russia has currently deployed around 100,000 troops near the border with Ukraine. / REL