Command and staff military exercises involving Belarusian territorial forces commenced in the Gomel region of Belarus yesterday (Tuesday), and will end tomorrow (Thurs). The exercises are intended to assess the readiness of troops to perform training and combat tasks, and to improve the skills of reserve officers when working at command posts. The Belarusian defense ministry has said troops will practice guarding and defending a territorial defense facility during these exercises, while also serving at checkpoints during times of martial law.
At the end of May, the Defense Ministry announced that a “people’s militia” would be set up on the orders of Lukashenko, and on June 7, the Belarusian army began “combat readiness” exercises.
Ukraine intelligence agencies have claimed the controversial dictator’s regime has also begun training on “the transition from peacetime to wartime”.
Lukashenko recently confirmed his support for Vladimir Putinwar effort in Ukraine, stating that Minsk supports and “will continue to support” Russia in its “fight against Nazism”, while also stressing that Belarus “will remain together with fraternal Russia”.
British intelligence believes Belarus leader is weighing up support Russia in the war against the desire to avoid direct military involvement in the escalating conflict.
This would pose a huge risk to Belarus, with the potential for crippling Western sanctions, Ukrainian retaliation and possible discontent among Belarusian armed forces.
Last month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky downplayed that the risks of another invasion of Ukraine from Belarus are minimal, but warned Ukraine to remain wary at all times.
But despite this, Lukashenko has regularly threatened to intervene directly in Russia’s war with its neighbor, declaring that Belarus “will have to fight for the western regions of Ukraine”.
He said that “what is happening in Ukraine is only the beginning” and is reportedly “one of the elements of a major reform of the world”.
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Ukrainian officials have also reported that Russia could be preparing provocations to involve Belarus in its war against Ukraine.
Belarus may not be directly involved in the conflict, but its territory was used as a springboard for the offensive and equipment of the Russian army into northern Ukraine just a few weeks ago.
Russia has so far launched numerous missiles at Ukraine from Belarusian territory, while a large number of missile launchers have been placed on the territory of the Republic of Belarus.
Russian fighter jets have fired missiles into Ukraine from Belarusian airspace, with Russia using airports in Belarus to station much of its military aircraft.
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Lukashenko also faces the prospect of a massive military uprising amid growing concerns among his officer corps about Mink’s affiliation with Russia and his support for the war in Ukraine.
In an open letter to the Belarusian president, senior officers of the Fifth Brigade of the Special Forces wrote: “At present, officers of the Fifth Brigade of the Special Forces have observed the most serious violation of clause one of the Belarusian Constitution. by Russia’s highest political leadership.
According to this clause, the Belarusian Republic retains supremacy and full authority on its own territory.
“It also enjoys independence over its internal and foreign policies.”
They continued: “Russia’s occupation of the internationally recognized territory of Ukraine, which is friends with our state, and its attempt to draw Belarus into a completely unprovoked war against a sovereign state can only be seen as the destruction of the sovereignty of Belarus.
“By going to war against Ukraine, Belarus will be expelled from the community of civilized states and will be an international pariah for many years to come.
“If you join Russia in its fight against Ukraine, it would be an act of sheer suicide.”