Belarus sending more troops to Ukraine border, Lukashenko says

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko says he ordered more troops to the south of the country, by the border with Ukraine, the Belta news agency reports.

But he says forces of Belarus, a close ally of Russia, would not be taking part in the attack on Ukraine.

“That’s not our job,” he says.

Lukashenko tells his security council that he will be sending five tactical battle groups to protect the south.

These battle groups will comprise hundreds of soldiers equipped with armored vehicles and artillery.

Helicopters and warplanes were already protecting the southern border, he says

A massive 40-mile long Russian convoy is currently sitting on a road between Belarus and Kyiv, and US intelligence officials believe the troops may have run out of food or fuel, following poor logistical planning.