Ukraine today accused Belarus, its neighbor and close ally of Russia, of “massing” troops on its border and warned Minsk of any “unfriendly actions”.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry announced that it had noticed that Belarus was “gathering a significant number of troops in the Gomel region, near the northern border of Ukraine, under the guise of maneuvers.”

“We are warning the Belarusian officials not to commit a tragic mistake under the pressure of Moscow and we urge its armed forces to cease unfriendly actions and withdraw forces from Ukraine’s borders to a distance greater than the firing range of Belarus’ systems,” Ukrainian diplomacy added in a statement.

Kiev said it had detected the presence of Wagner militia fighters, some of whom are being hosted in Belarus after their leader’s failed rebellion last year.

Ukraine has warned that military exercises in the border region pose a threat to “global security” because of its proximity to the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, the site of the world’s worst nuclear disaster.

“We emphasize that Ukraine has never taken and will never take unfriendly actions against the Belarusian people,” the foreign ministry added.

The announcement comes as Ukraine has launched an offensive since August 6 with thousands of its troops against the Russian border region of Kursk, occupying several hundred square kilometers, and as Russia continues its advance into eastern Ukraine.

Belarus, which is politically and economically dependent on Russia, has been ruled by President Alexander Lukashenko since 1994. In 2022, Lukashenko allowed Russian troops to be stationed in Belarus during what Moscow and Minsk called “exercises.” before the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February.