New air defense missile regiment in Luninets seen as adequate answer to challenges Belarus faces

LUNINETS, 23 March (BelTA) – The establishment of a new air defense missile regiment in Luninets has become an adequate answer to the situation around the country's borders, BelTA learned from Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin on 23 March.

Viktor Khrenin said: “The situation around our country is not getting any calmer. Active militarization of the West is in progress. Military potential near our borders is being built up. Ukraine is getting pumped full of weapons. Ukraine's leadership demonstrates unpredictability in its actions. We are forced to act adequately in the face of these challenges and threats to our country's security. This is why it has been decided to set up a new air defense missile regiment on the basis of an existing army unit in Luninets.”

The new regiment is stationed 50km away from the state border. “The best specialists have been redeployed here. They are equipped with modern weapons. A good educational and material infrastructure has been created here. Barracks for drafted military personnel have been set up. A house for families of military personnel has been built. Schools and kindergartens have allocated capacity for their kids. Family members have been granted job opportunities,” the defense minister noted.

Social protection of the military personnel and their families was prioritized in the course of setting up the new regiment, Viktor Khrenin said. “The president has repeatedly stated that the main task of the state is to provide housing to all the public sector employees and military personnel. The construction of the house for military personnel proves these words with deeds. Access to housing will be a stimulus for doing the job with better quality, more effectively, and more professionally. When a man does not worry about his rear, he will do his job better. It is an axiom,” Viktor Khrenin said. The defense minister added that once the new regiment is on combat duty, the combat potential of the Belarusian army will be enhanced and the effectiveness of air defense will be increased.