A new “tent city” capable of housing some 1,000 Wagner mercenaries is being built in Belarus just 15 miles from the border with Ukraine, a group in Kyiv has claimed.
The Ukrainian National Resistance Centre, which was set up by Kyiv’s army following Russia’s invasion, alleges that the new camp at the Zyabrovka airfield will likely be used to “simulate subversive activities on the border with the Chernihiv region”.
The simulation of a threat to the border and other Nato countries is part of a bid to “force European countries to reduce their support for Ukraine by simulating a military threat to them”, the group claims.
It comes as Britain announced its largest ever crackdown on third countries aiding Russia – after a dramatic plea from Ukraine’s first lady in an interview with Independent TV.
Foreign secretary James Cleverly said the 25 new sanctions would give those assisting Moscow’s illegal invasion “nowhere to hide”, after The Independent revealed on Monday that the government was hoping to act on the problem imminently.
