Belarus joins Russian attack on Ukraine, tanks cross border

The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine (SBGS) announced on Thursday morning the country's border with Belarus was attacked by troops from Russia and Belarus.

The SBGS is the Ukrainian law enforcement agency responsible for security of the country's borders.

The attack on the northern border of Ukraine comes in conjunction with Russian strikes on Ukraine's eastern and southern borders from Thursday morning.

Media reports said “Russian troops supported by Belarus” attacked the country's northern border around 5am (local time). CNN showed footage of tanks moving from Belarus to Ukraine. CNN reported troops entered the city of Senkivka, Ukraine, from the Belarus border city of Veselovka, at about 6:48am (local time).

Belarus, under President Alexander Lukashenko, had been Vladimir Putin's main ally in his troop build-up targeting Ukraine. Belarus had hosted thousands of Russian personnel in recent weeks, ostensibly for the purpose of military exercises.

Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who is based in Lithuania, alleged the Lukashenko regime turned Belarus into an “aggressor” by backing the Russian action.

The active participation by Belarus in the Russian military action is likely to result in calls for sanctions against the Lukashenko regime.