DISINFO: Belarusian opposition want to occupy part of Belarus and introduce Western 'peacekeepers'
SUMMARY
Belarusian extremists living abroad plan to occupy Belarusian border areas and introduce a Western 'peacekeeping' contingent. According to the information available, it is possible that the extremist formations located outside Belarus will implement an armed operation in order to occupy one or more border areas of Belarus, declare this territory 'free', and introduce a Western 'peacekeeping' contingent. The West continues to support the representatives of the radical opposition, who have left Belarus, to overthrow the authorities of the country.
RESPONSE
This message is a part of pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about militaristic anti-Russian West, ready to attack Belarus and overthrow Lukashenka. It also aims to smear any opposition to Lukashenka.
The claim that the Belarusian opposition is planning to change the country's borders is not supported by evidence.
After the violent crackdown of the 2020 protests by Lukashenka, tens of thousands of Belarusians moved to Poland and other countries in order to avoid repressions. The claim that Belarusian opposition groups and associations operating in Poland are planning a military attack on Belarus is unfounded.
Belarusian citizens, forced to flee their country due to Lukashenka's repression, advocate their political agenda through peaceful means, such as establishing NGOs, public associations, organising peaceful protests, etc.
Poland is often accused by the Belarusian authorities of harboring territorial ambitions, an accusation that appears to be a deliberate attempt to shift attention away from Minsk's complicity in allowing Belarusian territory to be used for Russian aggression against Ukraine - see our in-depth analysis here.
See other examples of similar messages: Poland and Lithuania directly sponsor extremist actions against Belarus, Poland and Lithuania send Belarusian opposition instructions on how to make explosives and the CIA and Pentagon prepare Belarusian protestors in Poland, Ukraine and the Baltic states.