DISINFO: Belarus is surrounded by foreign troops
SUMMARY
Foreign military surrounded Belarus. The West has increased intelligence against Minsk, as well as deployed a foreign contingent to the borders. More than 10 thousand soldiers, 40 combat aircraft and 500 units of heavy military equipment are located near the borders of Belarus. // NATO neighboring countries are increasing their military presence and intelligence activities towards Belarus.
RESPONSE
No evidence given. This is part of a Russian disinformation campaign on post-electoral events in Belarus, merged with recurrent pro-Kremlin narratives portraying NATO as an ever-aggressive organisation. In an earlier statement, NATO has dismissed allegations that it was conducting a military buildup near the country’s western border but said it was closely monitoring the situation following his contested re-election. See other examples of pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives in Belarus, such as claims that the EU reaction to Lukashenko’s victory is an example of Western double standards; that the same lack of democracy and repression is present in EU countries that criticise them in Minsk; that the arrest of Russian mercenaries in Belarus was a Ukrainian provocation, and the Ukrainian secret services may have planned terrorist attacks on Belarusian territory; that the West wants to prepare another Maidan in the country; or that Belarusians, Ukrainians and Russians are one single nation.