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Situation does not require building up forces on border with Ukraine — Belarus’ top brass

Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin noted that, previously, the force levels of the grouping of security forces stationed on the Ukrainian border was higher

MINSK, February 22. /TASS/. The current situation does not require that Belarus build up its forces on the border with Ukraine, Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin said.

"It does not require it," he told Rossiya-24 television.

The minister noted that, previously, the force levels of the grouping of security forces stationed on the Ukrainian border was higher. "There's a bigger threat for us, from sabotage groups coming from Ukraine," said Khrenin.

The Belarusian defense minister said that currently the total number of Armed Forces of Ukraine personnel deployed in several areas along the Belarusian border is "about 112,000-114,000" troops.

"Of these, a little more-or-less than 17[,000 troops] are involved in direct protection of the Ukrainian-Belarusian border," the minister specified.