Ukraine rejects claims that it violated Belarus air space

A spokesperson for Ukraine’s border guard denied accusations from Belarus alleging that a Ukrainian military helicopter had flown about 0.6 miles into its territory on Saturday, according to Reuters.

“Maybe someone made a mistake and is spreading accusations for manipulative purposes,” a spokesperson said, per the news service.

Also on Sunday, the Belarusian defense ministry summoned Ukraine’s military attaché over the Ukrainian aircrafts’ alleged violations of Belarus’s airspace.

“The military attaché was informed that the Ukrainian side is avoiding a dialogue to resolve disputes … which is very worrying,” the ministry said in a statement after handing a note of protest to an official in Ukraine, Reuters reported.

The Ukrainian army added on Sunday that it had no additional comment.

Since last year, relations between Ukraine and Belarus have become contentious, after Russia sided with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko during large-scale protests. Lukashenko has also offered more vocal support for Russia against Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Joe Biden have a video call scheduled for Tuesday, during which they intend to discuss growing tensions in the region, Reuters noted. 

Ukraine, along with its allies in NATO, have accused Russia of preparing for a possible invasion of Ukraine as Moscow is amassing thousands of troops near its border.

Russia, however, has denied the accusations and says it wants “reliable and long-term security guarantees” that NATO will not expand closer to his country’s borders.