MINSK, 15 October (BelTA) – Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko has appointed Yuri Nazarenko Deputy Internal Affairs Minister, Chief of the Internal Troops, BelTA has learned.
Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “I don't think the fact you've never been in charge of major formations is a massive drawback. You will not have to command frontlines, you will have to ensure order in the country. If necessary, you will have to use the internal troops. It is your prerogative. It is and will be what makes you different – you will have to ensure order inside the country. And, god forbid, if there is a war, we – all the people in uniforms – will go to the frontline if the threat is external.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that Yuri Nazarenko had been in charge of an elite unit – the special rapid response force of the Internal Affairs Ministry's internal troops. “It is a very well-trained unit. I know it well because I took an active part in setting it up back in the day. We polished some quirks and I hoped it would be a very good team. I haven't heard anything bad about the unit, only good things. The guys are always ready for action. We've always mobilized the unit to neutralize all kinds of bandits and the rest,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. He noted the experience of commanding this unit will come in handy later on in Yuri Nazarenko's career.
Yuri Nazarenko was born in Slonim, Grodno Oblast in 1976. He graduated from the Military Academy of Belarus in 1997 and the Command Staff Faculty of the Military Academy in 2009.
In 1997-2010 he served in various positions in different units of the Internal Affairs Ministry internal troops.
In March 2010 – October 2014 Yuri Nazarenko served in various branches of the Belarus President Security Service.
In October 2014 Yuri Nazarenko was appointed commanding officer of the special rapid response unit of internal troops unit No.3214. In February 2016 he was appointed commanding officer of the special rapid response unit of the 3rd Independent Brigade of the Internal Affairs Ministry internal troops.
Yuri Nazarenko has been in charge of the staff of the Belarus President Security Service since March 2018.
