MINSK, 17 October (BelTA) – People in uniform will not allow an armed conflict to happen in Belarus' territory. Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin made the statement as he met with workers of the Minsk-based tractor factory MTZ, BelTA has learned. Matters concerning the evolving military political situation in the country and abroad were discussed during the meeting.
Viktor Khrenin said: “The regional force grouping of Belarus and Russia has started deployment and carrying out missions concerning the armed defense of the Union State of Belarus and Russia. The regional force grouping is a complicated system with many components. It includes command and control bodies of various levels, army units and forces as well as various Belarusian and Russian support units. We have practiced various options for deploying and using the regional force grouping during exercises since this defense component of the Union State was created. We have practiced deploying all the systems in the face of an obvious threat and the gradual deployment in accordance with the situation. Taking into account the evolving situation, we are gradually implementing individual measures meant to prepare the regional force grouping for responding to emerging challenges and threats. We are convinced it will ensure security along the entire perimeter of the Union State borders in the Eastern European collective security region.”
The defense minister emphasized that all the steps being taken are only a reaction to actions of the opponents. “We are not going to attack anyone. I'd like to emphasize once again that this force grouping is supposed to carry out purely defensive tasks. All the measures being taken are geared towards an adequate response to what is going on along our borders,” he said. “On the whole, we believe that the measures we've realized and the strategic deterrence measures that the Armed Forces have planned ensure a demonstration of the readiness to defend our country and cause unacceptable damage to the aggressor. At the same time the fact that it is more advisable to start negotiations and come to terms instead of rattling sabers remains at the heart of our military policy.”
“I'd like to assure all those present: we, the people in uniform, clearly know what we have to do, we stay on top of the situation, and are implementing a set of primarily preventive measures in order to fulfill the task formulated by the head of state. Primarily to prevent the start of an armed conflict in Belarus' territory. Trust me we are doing it professionally and will be able to fulfill our tasks,” Viktor Khrenin stated.
