Edit: Ahmed Al-Kumi

Today, NATO Secretary - General Jens Stoltenberg stated that the build - up of Russian troops in Belarus is the largest number in the country since the end of the Cold War.

A statement was issued following a meeting with the Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Dimitar Kovacevski, accusing Russia of sending combat units of "30 000," including special forces Spitsnaz, to Belarusian training areas.

The source added that large numbers of troops had been deployed to Belarus in the past few weeks, which Stoltenberg described as the highest concentration of Russian soldiers seen in the region in decades, noting that among the weapons deployed were S - 400 air defense systems and short - range ballistic missile systems from Iskandar, as well as fighter jets.