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Russia has sent nuclear-capable bombers to patrol Belarus’ western borders, authorities in Minsk said on December 18 as tensions rose across Eastern Europe.
Two Tu-22M3 bombers, accompanied by Su-30SM fighter jets of the Russian and Belarusian air forces, are conducting patrols.
This was the third mission of its kind to be carried out in the area this month.
Tensions between Russia and the West have risen due to the accumulation of Russian troops on the border with Ukraine. At the same time, Belarus’s relations with the European Union have deteriorated due to the migrant crisis, with the EU saying that Minsk has fueled the migrant crisis.
Officials in Kiev have expressed fears that Moscow could use Belarusian territory to support an attack on Ukraine.
The United States and NATO have warned of “major consequences” if Russia attacks Ukraine.
However, British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace told Spectator magazine on December 18 that it was “unlikely” that NATO member states would send troops to protect Ukraine from a Russian attack.
“(Ukraine) is not a NATO member and it is unlikely that anyone will send troops to Ukraine to challenge Russia,” Wallace said.
“We should not tell people that we will do such a thing. “Ukrainians are aware of this fact.”
Wallace stressed that Britain would continue to help Ukraine build its defense capabilities, and again warned Moscow of “tough economic sanctions” – including Moscow’s withdrawal from the international payment network SWIFT – if it attacked Ukraine.
Tensions between Moscow and Kiev have been high since Russia annexed the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea in 2014 and launched military, political and economic support for separatists fighting in eastern Ukraine.
Moscow denies being directly involved in the conflict in eastern Ukraine, despite ample evidence to the contrary.
Western analysts say Russia currently has about 100,000 troops stationed near the border with Ukraine.
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