Belarus' Lukashenko says 'saboteurs' detained on border with Ukraine
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko attends a meeting of the Supreme State Council of Russia-Belarus Union State in Saint Petersburg, Russia, January 29, 2024. Sputnik/Vyacheslav Prokofyev/Pool via REUTERS/ File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
MOSCOW, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Friday that several "saboteurs", including Ukrainian and Belarusian nationals, had been detained earlier on Friday on the border of the two countries in a "counter-terrorist operation".
Speaking at an event in Minsk, Lukashenko said that the detainees had "crawled across our border and transported explosives to commit sabotage primarily in Russia and in Belarus." He did not say how many had been detained.
Later in his speech, Lukashenko said that similar groups were detained "two or three times a week".
Belarus, a close Russian ally, has provided logistical support to Moscow throughout its military campaign in Ukraine.
The Reuters Daily Briefing newsletter provides all the news you need to start your day. Sign up here.
Writing by Felix Light; editing by Guy Faulconbridge
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
