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Thursday, 2 May
society

Ukraine launched a special operation on the Belarus border

Ukrainian border guards, fighters of the National Guard, National Police, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and other law enforcement agencies began operation on Wednesday to strengthen its frontier, including military drills for anti-tank and airborne units. This is reported by the press service of the State Border Service of Ukraine.

The main purpose of the operation is to prevent the migration crisis and counteract illegal activities.

The Ukrainian state border service said the "special operation" at the border with Belarus involved troops of the National Guard, police, Armed Forces, and other reserves.

"Aviation, drones will also be actively used for patrolling and monitoring," the service said in a statement.

Ukraine has deployed 8,500 extra troops to its border with Belarus, saying it fears being drawn into the migrant crisis, which has seen the European Union accuse Minsk of flying in people from the Middle East and pushing them to enter neighbouring Poland. Belarus denies fomenting the crisis.

Kyiv also worries that border with Belarus, a close Russian ally, could be used by Russia to stage a military assault.

Ukraine said on Tuesday it has had to defend its right to independence and held a series of military drills across the country.