NATO responds to German claim that 360,000 Russian troops are stationed in Belarus and ready to defend every centimeter of its territory.
German claim of 360,000 Russian troops in Belarus
German CDU foreign affairs spokesman Roderich Kiesewetter said that roughly 360,000 Russian soldiers are currently stationed in Belarus, none of whom have been deployed to the Ukraine conflict. A NATO official declined to comment on specific intelligence matters or release detailed assessments of troop numbers, citing the Alliance’s longstanding policy to withhold such information from the public.
NATO’s monitoring and readiness posture
A NATO spokesperson explained that the Alliance constantly monitors Russia’s military activities and those of its close ally Belarus, drawing on intelligence supplied by various member states. The officials reiterated that NATO remains vigilant against any potential threats to alliance security and is prepared to defend every centimeter of member territory.
Lithuanian counter‑claim deems the report misinformation
Lithuanian intelligence services dismissed the 360,000 figure as “complete misinformation,” noting that only a few thousand Russian troops are present in Belarus and that they do not constitute significant units. The Lithuanian Ministry of Defence and the National Crisis Management Centre expressed regret over foreign media spreading false information aimed at terrifying society and eroding public trust in traditional media.
