Belarusian special forces guarding railways following sabotage
Belarusian special forces have reportedly started guard duties along key railways into Ukraine following successful acts of sabotage by railway workers in recent days. Patrols are allegedly underway in the Gomel and Brest region’s in the Belarusian border areas with Ukraine.
To avoid detection, special forces are said to be wearing civilian clothing. Among the lines under surveillance is the Belarusian section of the Gomel-Chernihiv-Kyiv railway, which according to Ukrainian Railways director Alexander Kamyshin has been out of service since Saturday.
According to Forbes, the Ukrainian Armed Forces on Wednesday was able to confirm the disruption. In a message on Facebook, the General Staff applauded “opposition forces and caring citizens” for hindering the Russian movement of equipment and supplies.
The acts of sabotage are not without risk for Belarusians, be they railway workers of ordinary citizens. The country’s ministry of Interior has said that it considers sabotage acts of terrorism, vowing to clamp down on sabotage “swiftly and forcefully”. According to Belarusian human rights organisation Viasna, at least eight railway workers have been arrested this month. The face up to 15 years in prison.
Further reading:
- Railway connections between Belarus and Ukraine sabotaged to hinder Russian troops
- Ukrainian Railways withstands Russian onslaught but at great sacrifice
- Train carries EU leaders into Ukraine for unannounced show of support
- Russian and Belarusian railways suspended from UIC
- Belarusian railways hacked after transporting Russian troops
