ally of Russia Belarus announced flash military exercises on Tuesday in a move that has raised concerns that Minsk may be planning to enter war in Ukraine.
The Belarusian mission, designed to test the army’s combat readiness, is based on analysis of Russian experience waging war in Ukrainebased on belt.
Aleksandr Volfovich, State Secretary of the Belarusian Security Council, said the large-scale drills were unusual because they were “unexpected” for the army. He explained that Belarus is conducting exercises to handle the war in Ukraine if the situation around the country’s borders “deteriorates”.
“Simply put, those are standing forces,” he said.
According to the Belarusian Hajun project, a number of Belarusian military units are moving towards the border with Ukraine and moving military equipment with them. Units from the 38th separate airborne strike group are expected to head towards Malorita, about 15 km from the border with Ukraine, as well as to the town of Mokrany, about 3 km from the border.
The chairman of the Executive Committee of the city of Brest in Belarus, Alexander Rogachuk, announced on Telegram that the army is moving forward as soon as possible.
Belarus has previously served as a launching pad for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s War Plan in Ukraine in recent months, including Russia’s failed attempt to capture Kiev in the early days of the war. Although Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko has sometimes crossed the line between declaring that he wants peace and providing Putin with all-out support by allowing Russian troops and equipment into Belarus, these conflicts This blitzkrieg may signal that Putin has embraced Belarus in his war plans more fully.
Belta said the scale of the flash drills will soon be increased. Soldiers will be instructed to march long distances and then defend facilities, occupy firing positions, and perform tactical and shooting missions. Rogachuk said the army would also build bridges across the Neman and Berezina rivers.
This is not the first time Belarus’ military activities have raised suspicions that the country may be increasing its contribution to the war with Ukraine. In the summer, the Belarusian government announced the country was creating a new military units along the border with Ukraine at the same time as the people’s militia force. Just last month, Russia deploys thousands of troops and armored vehicles to Belarus, declaring that they were prepared and defended.
The White House has since assessed that this could be a move to help Russia distract Ukraine from activities in the south and east of the country.
John Kirby, White House National Security Council Coordinator, said: “While they claim it is to increase bilateral preparedness, it could also be an attempt to try to constrain efforts. Ukrainian forces in the north of the country.
In recent weeks Russia has also deployed nuclear-capable missiles to Belarus, according to an intelligence report.
Now, concerns have begun to surface in neighboring Ukraine and Poland about what Belarus might prepare for military exercises. Military officials from both countries have expressed concern about the unscheduled inspections in Belarus and agreed to coordinate joint action in the coming days. according to NBC.
