Belarus Risks Preemptive Strikes if It Masses 60,000 Troops for Attack, Expert Warns
Updated
Updated · Ukrinform · May 18
Belarus Risks Preemptive Strikes if It Masses 60,000 Troops for Attack, Expert Warns
5 articles · Updated · Ukrinform · May 18
Preemptive strikes would likely hit Belarus if it began concentrating forces for an attack on Ukraine or NATO states, Ukrainian military expert Tymochko said, arguing Minsk and Moscow both understand that risk.
About 60,000 Belarusian troops are spread across the country, he said, while the Russian contingent is only 2,000 to 5,000 strong—far too small for a meaningful large-scale offensive.
Belarus also lacks the geography and strategic depth for a major assault, Tymochko said, though its territory could still be used for sabotage or other provocations.
The warning comes as Belarus launched drills on May 18 involving nuclear-weapons combat use and support systems, while Zelensky says Russia is pressing Alexander Lukashenko to open new offensive directions toward Chernihiv, Kyiv or even NATO countries.
Is Belarus's army a paper tiger, or a cover for a more sinister Russian nuclear strategy?
Did a US deal to free prisoners turn Belarus into a critical backdoor for Russia's war effort?