The President of Belarus said that the Russian-made "Buk" missiles have been deployed within Belarus.

Belarusian President Lukashenko said on the 18th that the Russian-made "Birch" missile system has been deployed in Belarus. Lukashenko said in his national address to the Belarusian parliament and people that the "Birch" missile system was deployed at the first positions in Belarus on the 17th and will be put on combat duty. Belarus and Russia are implementing a series of strategic deterrence measures to strengthen their defense capabilities, including deploying Russian regional group troops within Belarus. He warned that any aggressive actions against the Belarusian border will be seen as a threat to the Russia-Belarus Union State. In the event of escalation, tens of thousands of armed forces in western Russia will immediately join the military combat as the second line of defense.