Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced on Friday that the country’s security forces had thwarted an alleged sabotage attempt near the border with Ukraine.

During the general assembly of Belkoopsoyuz, the national union of consumer societies, held in the capital city of Minsk, Lukashenko provided detailed information about the arrested individuals. He reported that the group had been using drones to navigate swampland areas and were in possession of explosive devices. Their apparent intention was to carry out sabotage activities within Russian and Belarusian territory.

The president noted that comparable interdictions by Belarusian authorities have been occurring with frequencies of two to three times per week. Notably, among those detained, there were Belarusian citizens involved. They were reportedly spotted approaching the border through swampland along the Ukrainian border.

Belarusian authorities have long maintained concerns over escalating security issues along the country’s borders. During one of the country’s Security Council meetings in May 2022, Secretary of State for Security Alexander Volfovich alerted the council to intelligence reports indicating the presence of Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance groups operating near Belarus’ southern border regions. Volfovich noted significant threats posed by military assets concentrated in neighboring Ukraine. Reports also indicated operations by Ukrainian sabotage and patrol squads crossing into Belarusian territory.

Lukashenko acknowledged the challenging situation surrounding Belarus, citing the buildup of NATO’s military potential near the borders and provocations occurring on the border during a meeting on May 2, 2023. He emphasized the need for comprehensive measures to prevent various saboteurs from entering Belarus and requested comprehensive proposals for counteraction.

Tensions have been high between Belarus and Ukraine due to Belarus’ close support for Russia in its war against Ukraine. Notably, in May 2023 Belarus agreed to allow Russia to deploy nuclear weapons on its territory. More recently, a report by Yale University found that Belarus collaborated with Russia in the systematic deportation of Ukrainian children. Many Belarusians’ views of Russia and Russians have also worsened in the months following the invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, due to Belarus’ alliance with Russia. The European Parliament has already called for the establishment of an international tribunal to prosecute war crimes committed by Russia and Belarus.