A key Russian ally has issued a stern warning, promising an “immediate response” if its border is violated, underscoring rising tensions in the region.

In response to alleged Ukrainian drones entering Belarusian airspace last week, President Alexander Lukashenko declared that Minsk would have no other option but to react immediately should its state borders be breached.

During an interview with Russia 1 TV channel on Thursday, Lukashenko emphasized that Minsk has no interest in participating in a war against NATO and wishes to avoid the escalation of tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Nevertheless, he made it clear that Belarus is ready to defend its borders if necessary.

Lukashenko stated that if they choose to proceed, we will be left with no alternative. The state border serves as the only limit, and crossing it would trigger an immediate reaction without any clear restrictions.

Several Ukrainian drones that violated airspace in the southern region of Belarus have been destroyed by Minsk’s forces, as stated by the country’s leader last week. Based on reports from Belarusian media, these UAVs contained diverse NATO electronics and equipment like a Belgian navigation system and an active antenna manufactured in the US.

According to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, there is no significant justification for responding to Minsk’s accusations.

In the aftermath of the event, Belarus – a significant ally to Moscow in the area – declared an increase in military presence along its border with Ukraine. This included sending tanks. Kiev has insinuated that this move was intended as a distraction from their intrusion into Russia’s Kursk Region.

Although Belarus has advocated for negotiations instead of direct involvement in the conflict between Moscow and Kiev, it allowed the Russian military to launch an offensive on Kiev from its territory during Moscow’s military campaign in February 2022. This move has caused significant tension between Belarus and Ukraine that persists today.