The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has issued a strong warning to Belarus regarding the build-up of military personnel and equipment near the Ukrainian border, pointing to possible serious consequences if tensions escalate further.

In its statement, the Ukrainian ministry expressed concern about the strategic positioning of these forces, pointing to their proximity to both the border and the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, News.Az reports.

“The concentration of personnel, especially special forces, together with tanks, artillery, anti-aircraft missiles and engineering equipment in the Gomel region is a cause for great concern,” the statement from Kyiv said.

“Conducting military exercises near the Chernobyl zone and our border can have far-reaching consequences. We call on the Belarusian authorities not to make tragic mistakes under pressure from Moscow,” a ministry spokesman said.

“We have always respected the Belarusian people and have no intention of provoking a conflict. However, if Belarus violates the state border of Ukraine, we will exercise our right to self-defense, which is guaranteed by the United Nations Charter,” the ministry said.

The statement ended with a warning: “Any military concentration at facilities and along supply routes on Belarusian territory will be considered a legitimate target for the Ukrainian armed forces.”

According to the statement released on Sunday, under the pretext of military exercises, Belarusian armed forces, including special forces and former fighters of the Wagner group, have gathered in the southeast of Belarus in the Gomel region.

News.Az