Russia and Belarus at Odds Over Arrest of Suspected Mercenaries

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko walk before a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Dec. 20, 2019. Mikhail Klimentyev/Sputnik/Kremlin Pool Photo via AP

MOSCOW—A dispute between Moscow and Minsk over the detention of more than 30 men who Belarus accused of being Russian mercenaries deepened on Saturday, as the two sides contradicted each other about the group’s plans.

The arrests soon before an Aug. 9 presidential election in Belarus could further strain relations between Minsk and its traditional ally Russia, which soured after the neighbours failed to agree on an oil supply contract for this year.