Ukrainian intelligence has learned from within Belarus that “special ops” troops have been spotted loading up planes for a major attack.
Belarus special forces are believed to be preparing to assault the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, the Daily Mirror can reveal.
Ukrainian intelligence has learned from within Belarus that “special ops” troops have been spotted loading up planes for a major attack.
A senior Ukrainian source told the Daily Mirror: “If this happens it will mean Belarus has openly joined Russia in its invasion of sovereign Ukraine.
“We believe they are being targeted at Kyiv and Zhytomir.”
For weeks during the Russian build up large numbers of Moscow’s elite Spetsnaz troops were on so-called “exercises” with their Belarus counterparts.
But it now appears that Belarus, having allowed missiles to be fired from within its territory at stricken Ukraine, is about to join the battle.
Ukraine’s military confirmed the country’s Border Guard troops fighting close to the northern border spotted four Iliushin 76 air-lift warplanes heading for Kyiv or Chernigiv.
The source told the Mirror the planes were loaded up with Belarus special operations troops.
It came as Ukrainian sources confirmed Russia’s mounting losses during the invasion in which Kyiv’s troops and citizens are fighting back with ferocity.
By today Russia has lost 4,300 troops in bitter fighting.
The revelation comes hours after Ukraine turned down talks with Moscow after Putin sent a diplomatic delegation to the country, saying Belarus is “complicit” in the invasion.
Earlier Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on his Telegram channel he had spoken with Belarus’ leader Alexander Lukashenko, after Kyiv had rejected talks in Belarus amid accusations of allowing Russian troops through its territory.
On Friday, Britain summoned Belarusian ambassador, Maxim Yermalovich, to protest at their giving assistance in the invasion of Ukraine.
Priti Patel earlier cancelled visas for the Belarusian men’s basketball team over their nation’s support.
The Home Secretary said in a tweet: “The UK will not welcome the national sports teams of those countries who are complicit in (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s unprovoked and illegal invasion of Ukraine.”
The team were due to play Great Britain in Newcastle in a World Cup qualifier.
Moscow’s losses include:
Warplanes – 27
Helicopters- 26
Tanks- 146
Artillery – 49
Buk missile systems – 1
Multi Launch Rocket Systems – 4
Vehicles – 30
UAV – 2
Ships- 2
