Belarus moves heavy weaponry to border amid Ukrainian advances
Belarusians are moving military forces to the border with Ukraine. This is in response to the increasingly audacious Ukrainian advances into the territory of the Russian Federation. Analysts believe the Belarusians might be trying to divert the attention of Ukrainian troops.
9:39 AM EDT, August 12, 2024
The Ukrainians have been conducting a strong offensive toward Kursk Oblast for several days, regularly seizing additional locations. As a result, the Russians are shelling their own territory with powerful Iskander missiles, though this remains ineffective – the defenders continue their charge without stopping.
Belarus responds to Ukrainian actions
In response to the audacious actions of the Ukrainians, Belarus is coming to the aid of the Russian Federation. The authorities in Minsk have decided to send heavy equipment to the border with Ukraine. According to the Russian TASS agency, T-72 tanks, as well as Polonez and Iskander missile systems, have been sent toward Ukraine.
Lukashenko claims strengthening the borders is a response to violations of Belarusian airspace by Ukrainian drones. However, some believe Belarus is trying to divert the attention of the Ukrainian army and weaken it, says Andrij Kowalenko, head of the Center for Counteracting Disinformation of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council.
T-72 tanks and Polonez and Iskander systems on the border
In a video published by the profile @InsiderGeo on the X platform, Belarusians transport T-72 tanks by rail. These are some of the machines sent to the border with Ukraine. The tanks are powered by a 780 hp engine, which can accelerate the vehicle to 37 mph. The vehicle's main armament includes a 125 mm 2A46M cannon with a reserve of 39 rounds, PKT 7.62 mm machine guns, and a large-caliber DSzK (or NSW) 12.7 mm machine gun.
Additionally, the Polonez missile system, a Belarusian long-range self-propelled multi-launch rocket system with a calibre of 301 mm, has been sent to the border with Ukraine. China likely contributed to its production, as the Polonez is supposedly based on their A200 system.
The Belarusian weapon carries eight rockets that can reach targets up to 124 miles away from the launcher. Polonez's fire is precision-measured at a maximum of 164 feet in CEP.
In contrast, the Iskander is another tactical ballistic weapon. The system uses missiles over 23 feet long and almost 3 feet in diameter. A single piece of ammunition weighs up to 4.4 tons, and in the Iskander-M variant, it reaches targets up to 311 miles away. The missile can carry various types of warheads, including cluster, high explosive fragmentation, thermobaric, or thermonuclear. Compared to the Polonez, the Iskander system has higher accuracy, with a CEP measured at 98 feet.
