Belarus instigates 'anti-terrorism' protocols in border town, stirring unrest and questions
The Lelchytsy authorities in the Homel region of Belarus, sitting on the border with Ukraine, have officially announced the roll-out of what they are referring to as an "anti-terrorism operation regime". This particular protocol gifts the authorities with increased power, including but not limited to the ability for arbitrary arrests, the monitoring of private communications, enforcing travel restrictions and granting officers access to any property.
A report from Belaruski Hajun indicates that at least four helicopters, each carrying soldiers, have been dispatched to the region.
Activists are keen to highlight that the first helicopters took off from Machuliszcze airport before the official announcement of the regime was made. They believe that the military remains in Lelchytsy.
Belarus's operations under question
Independent media outlet Zierkało has attempted to illuminate the justifications behind such drastic measures. The KGB of the Homel region, however, declined to provide comments and instead directed all inquiries to the media reports. The police, in contrast, assure the local populace that there is no cause for concern.
Local authorities have suggested that the tumult is due to routine exercises conducted by the Ministry of Emergency Situations, adding that this isn't unusual.
The border guard from Ukraine has commented that no noteworthy incidents have been reported at the border with Belarus. "We continue to fortify our border and vigilantly guard it against any potential provocations," Marshal of the Border Guard, Andrij Demczenko, told "Ukrainian Truth".
