Air Force comments on increase of Russian weapons in Belarus: we are preparing for "congratulations" on Independence Day

VALENTYNA ROMANENKO - TUESDAY, 16 AUGUST 2022, 12:50.

The Air Force of Ukraine is not ruling out armed provocations by the Russian forces, including from the territory of Belarus, ahead of Ukraine’s Independence Day on 24 August. However, they stress that they are combat ready 24/7 since the start of a full-scale war with the Russian Federation.

Source: Yurii Ihnat, spokesman of the Air Force Command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, at a briefing on 16 August

Quote: "The armed forces of Ukraine constantly monitor the movement of  [Russian] troops and the transportation of ammunition (both Iskander missiles and others). This is taking place not today, not yesterday, but always. When an IL-76 lands at one of the airfields in Belarus, it is clear that it delivers weapons there.

There is certain intelligence data, and there is information in open sources that the enemy is building up its forces on Belarusian territory. This is also a political component: that is, to threaten the West on the borders of this state, as well as to threaten Ukraine.

This threat has always been there, because Russia used the territory of the Republic of Belarus from the outset of the full-scale aggression, they struck [Ukraine] from there...

Therefore, there is no doubt that we need to prepare. A big national holiday, Independence Day, is coming soon. The enemy always uses such dates to send ‘best regards’ and we must be ready for this."

Details: According to Ihnat, increased measures will definitely be taken, however the Air Force is already in the alert mode all the time.

"Every day brings danger. Our abilities are not limitless. Everything that is combat ready will be used," Ihnat added.

He called on the people of Ukraine to be vigilant and not to ignore air raid alerts.

Also: According to the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in the last few days, there has been a decrease in the Russian aviation activity; at the same time, about 430 planes and more than 360 helicopters are concentrated at airfields near Ukraine’s borders in the Russian Federation, Belarus and the territory of occupied Crimea.

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