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Minsk says NATO could set up strike forces near Belarus targeting Russia, Belarus

Viktor Khrenin said that even as there are currently no signs of preparations for an aggression, the risk of possible engagement of troops deployed near borders against the Republic of Belarus remains in place

MINSK, October 6. /TASS/. Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin on Thursday said NATO forces in the countries that are Belarusian neighbors could be the basis to establish strike units targeting his country and Russia.

"Today we have a definitive assessment that the NATO formations deployed in neighboring countries can become the basis for the creation of strike groups against the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus as its closest ally," the minister was quoted as saying in a statement from the press service.

Khrenin said that even as there are currently no signs of preparations for an aggression, "the risk of possible engagement of troops deployed near our borders against the Republic of Belarus remains in place." Evidence of that, the minister said, is that the US and NATO build up their troops in Eastern Europe. For example, Khrenin said more than 60,000 US troops equipped with sophisticated strike weapons are now stationed in Europe on a permanent basis. About 35,000 more US troops are engaged in operations in Eastern Europe, of which more than 22,000 are in Poland and the Baltic states, Khrenin said.

He said that if the West unleashes military aggression, NATO aircraft and ships will be able to strike "at our facilities and troops across the entire the territory of the Republic of Belarus."

Tags

Ukraine crisis Belarus NATO

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