Russian occupation, Ukraine warns Belarus

In a Facebook statement, the Ukrainian Defence Ministry said there were signs suggesting that the Belarus Armed Forces were preparing for a “direct invasion of” of Ukrainian territory.

Belarus is limited to Ukraine in the north and was reportedly used as an area for Russian forces.

Ukraine's Defence Ministry issued a stern warning to Belarusn President Alexander Lukashenko.

The direct involvement of Belarusian troops in Russian armed aggression against Ukraine, contrary to the will of the military and the vast majority of the Belarusian people, will become a fatal mistake by Alexander Lucas”, the statement said.

The General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces estimated that the threat level was high for “an offensive from the Republic of Belarus to Volyn”, according to the Ukrainian online newspaper Pravda.

This comes after Lukashenko recently complained about the collapse of the Soviet Union and blamed the war in Ukraine and elsewhere “monopolisation of our planet by the US”, according to Reuters.

In an interview for Japanese TV channel T BS, Lukashenko also described Putin as a friend and defended him against Western leaders who question his mental and physical ability.

He and I have not only met as president of state, we are in friendly relations. I am absolutely secret to all his details, as far as possible, both state and personal,” said Lukashenko.

Amid reports of low morals in the Russian ranks, Ukrainian defence officials today said they had received documents showing that Russia has ordered the delocation of new cadets in Ukraine, Fox News broadcast.

Putin has repeatedly told his people that the army is not using cadees, but photos of the documents posted online show that Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu has signed an order to the contrary. Dislore will see the Yunarmia Cadets aged 17 and 18-year-olds pushed to front lines in Ukraine.