Lukashenko may be involved in preparing major provocation by Belarus – Belarusian politician Sannikov

He shared his opinions with Espreso TV.

"Lukashenko's regime is a full-fledged participant in the Russian war against Ukraine. We should not forget that he provides all his territory to the Kremlin for the war. And today, a MiG-31 took off from the airfield, which became known after the incident with the Russian AWACS (aviation warning and control system - ed.), which is the same fighter jet that is capable of carrying hypersonic Kinzhal missiles. That is, Lukashenko's unfriendly actions are taking place all the time," the Belarusian opposition leader noted.

Andrei Sannikov emphasized another fact: the so-called military maneuvers, which have been going on for a year now, have once again been continued in Belarus, because they are being continued on the orders of the Kremlin. Therefore, the alarm is absolutely justified, because there is a high level of combat readiness in the northern direction.

"And subjective factors, Lukashenko's hysterics and his false statements about the incident in Machulishchy, may indicate that a major provocation with his participation indeed is being prepared. We see that the borders are constantly being tested. Poland is installing fortifications, including anti-tank hedgehogs, on the border with Belarus. Lithuania is strengthening its border. There are constant provocations in this area with the use of migrants, which began long before Russia's massive invasion of Ukraine with the help of Belarus," said the former Deputy Foreign Minister of Belarus.

Sannikov noted that there are constant provocations by border guards of the Lukashenko regime, as well as by the military.

"Today, at least 20 training grounds in Belarus are occupied by Russian troops, who have military drills there. That's why Ukraine's intelligence service and the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine constantly emphasize that they are monitoring the situation very closely, and there is no reason to say that there will be any massive invasion. This is probably correct. But it is clear to everyone that small groups or rather large ones can make dangerous provocations. Therefore, we must take such information and such statements by the Ukrainian intelligence service seriously, which warns that a phase of the war that many people fear may come – the Lukashenko's armed forces may cross the border with Ukraine," the oppositionist said.

• On March 9, the monitoring group Belarusian Hajun reported that the military exercises of the Russian army in Belarus were extended until March 20.

• Also, the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense informed that Russia is preparing a large-scale provocation on the Ukrainian-Belarusian border.