By Pavel Polityuk
KYIV (Reuters) – Ukraine, which has accused Russia of massing troops nearby and says Belarus could send migrants over its borders, launched an operation on Wednesday to strengthen its frontier, including military drills for anti-tank and airborne units.
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.
The head of Ukraine’s military intelligence told the Military Times outlet this weekend that Russia had more than 92,000 troops massed around Ukraine’s borders and was preparing for an attack by the end of January or beginning of February.
Moscow has dismissed such suggestions as inflammatory and complained about what it says is increasing activity in the region by the NATO alliance.
Ukraine said on Tuesday it has had to defend its right to independence and held a series of military drills across the country.
Ukraine, which seeks to join NATO, received a large consignment of U.S. ammunition and Javelin missiles earlier this year, prompting criticism from Moscow. On Tuesday, Ukrainian navy received two refitted former U.S. Coast Guard patrol boats as a part of $2.5 billion package of assistance to Ukraine.
(Reporting by Pavel Polityuk; Editing by Philippa Fletcher and Peter Graff)
