“Russia demanded an explanation from Belarus on Thursday, after Minsk arrested a group of alleged Russian mercenaries and said they were suspected of plotting ‘acts of terrorism’ before a presidential election” Reuters reports.
“Belarusian state television broadcast footage on Wednesday of more than 30 suspected Russian private military contractors being detained near the capital Minsk. Authorities said they had received information that over 200 fighters had entered the country to destabilize it before the Aug. 9 election. A criminal case was opened on Thursday after Belarus said is suspected ‘the preparation of terrorist acts’. Some of the captured men had confessed to trying to orchestrate a revolution, and Russia’s ambassador was summoned to explain, officials said.”