Statement of checking combat readiness of Belarusian armed forces is made to ratchet up tensions 

The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine (SBGS) does not see any Belarusian military units that can conduct a successful invasion; the SBGS considers the announcement made by the Belarusian Ministry of Defence on 13 December an attempt to ratchet up tensions. 

Source: Andrii Demchenko, the Spokesman of SBGS during a briefing in Ukraine-Ukrinform media centre on 13 December. 

Quote: "We do not see any changes in the conditions on the border [with Belarus – ed.]. The situation remains under control. The military units of the Armed Forces of Belarus that were near our border earlier still remain there; their numbers or characteristics do not change. 

There is no indication of a creation of groupings that can conduct an invasion [from Belarus – ed.]."

Details: Demchenko believes that the announced checks of the Belarusian combat capability is intended to ratchet up tensions. At the same time, he added that this is an additional challenge for Ukraine's border guards: "We will monitor how the situation develops, including how close these units approach the border with Ukraine."

Background: 

• On 13 December by the order of self-proclaimed President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, the country started to suddenly check the combat readiness of its army and transport some of their military vehicles to the border with Ukraine. 

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