Putin personally working to involve Belarus in war - SBU Colonel Kostenko

He shared his opinions with the Verdict with Serhii Rudenko program on Espreso TV channel.

"Everything that is happening in Belarus is a threat to us. All the training going on there can be used against us. We have already seen how the military exercises that were held there ended. Russia is constantly using Belarus. Now both Russian and Ukrainian armies are preparing for the spring campaign. Winter introduces its adjustments, now it is impossible to conduct strategic offensive operations, there are too many factors to consider. Ukraine is preparing reserves, its partners are supplying equipment. Our main task is to hold the defense in order to be ready for the spring campaign, when Russia comes with new forces," emphasized Kostenko. 

According to the SBU colonel, Russian forces will try to conduct strategic operations.

"Whether Belarus will join the war is a question of significant importance. At the moment we have information that there is no strike group there and they are not ready, the political situation does not allow it. Lukashenko is trying to stay away, help in some way, but not directly involve the Belarusian Armed Forces. There is information that not all Belarusian servicemen support the invasion of Ukraine. Russian diplomacy and Putin personally are working to involve Belarus in the war in order to strengthen their position and share responsibility for the war. Whether Belarus will enter the war or not - we will know at the beginning of the spring campaign in March, April. When Russians are ready to try to achieve their goals. They are not going to end the war," Kostenko said. 

• On December 19, the representative of the Joint Transitional Cabinet of Belarus Valery Kovalevsky said that the role of the Belarusian territory in the war will increase.
• Ukrainian journalist, military expert Serhiy Zgurets wrote in detail about the joint exercises of the Russian and Belarusian military in an article dated January 9.
• On January 14, two more echelons with Russian soldiers and equipment reportedly arrived in Belarus.
• Joint air exercises with Russia in Belarus do not pose a threat to Ukraine yet.