Wagner mercenaries in Belarus not a real threat – Ukrainian intelligence

Yusov acknowledged that the presence of several thousand seasoned combatants across Ukraine’s northern border is a potential threat that must be taken into account, but assured Ukrainians that all the necessary precautions are being taken in that regard.

“However, as it currently stands, this group does not constitute an imminent danger,” said Yusov.

“That being said, we cannot underestimate it, and no one is doing that.”

In response to threats made by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko towards Poland – which were later claimed to have been “a joke” – Yusov said that Moscow is aiming to divert the attention and resources of Ukraine's NATO and EU partners by creating additional tension and potential risk.

"But on the other hand, this is a bit of a self-defeating PR campaign, as these provocations compel Poland, for instance, to bolster its own security and defense sector, pay more attention to the Belarusian border, and of course, scrutinize various scenarios in greater detail," Yusov concluded.