Ukraine strengthens security on border with Belarus – Demchenko

Ukraine has strengthened control on the national border with Belarus - all the necessary resources and forces are involved for this, spokesperson for Ukraine's State Border Guard Service Andriy Demchenko told Ukrinform.
“We are intensively guarding the border with Belarus, since the situation in that country is rather turbulent. After the beginning of the escalation of the situation in Belarus, we switched to an enhanced regime,” Demchenko said.

He noted that the situation on the border is calm. At the moment, Ukrainian border guards do not record any non-standard situation or provocations.

Demchenko also said that the border guards do not observe the movement of any military hardware on the territory of Belarus.

There are seven checkpoints at the border. According to him, 4-5 thousand people cross the border every day.

As reported, the presidential election took place in Belarus on August 9. According to the final results announced on August 14, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko garnered 80.1% of the vote, while opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya received 10.1%.

Protests by citizens who reject the official election results have been going on in Belarus. Belarusian law enforcement officials are using force against peaceful protesters that have engulfed across the country. Security forces used rubber bullets, stun grenades and water cannons against demonstrators. More than 6,700 people have been detained since the beginning of the protests. At least 250 people were hospitalized and some people were killed.

On August 17, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba announced his decision to summon Ukrainian Ambassador to the Republic of Belarus Ihor Kyzym for consultations in Kyiv to assess the prospects for Ukrainian-Belarusian relations in the new reality that has developed and to make appropriate decisions taking into account the entire range of factors.