MINSK, 10 May (BelTA) – Military threats are on the rise, BelTA learned from Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Belarusian First Deputy Defense Minister Viktor Gulevich.
Viktor Gulevich said: “The USA and its allies continue building up military presence near the state border of Belarus. The strength of this force has more than doubled in the last six months. Forces carrying sea-launched and air-launched cruise missiles have been deployed in the Mediterranean Sea and the Baltic Sea areas. The air force in Poland and the Baltic states has been reinforced. All of it testifies to a growing threat to the Republic of Belarus.”
He also remarked that a number of exercises are being held in Eastern Europe and Southeast Europe, including Defender Europe, during which up to 20,000 personnel and a large number of equipment units will be deployed.
In addition to this exercise seven other exercises are being held in the countries Belarus borders with. Among other things these exercises focus on practicing the deployment of reconnaissance and sabotage forces, assault landings, and the deployment of special operations forces. The General Staff chief underlined that all of it does not testify to the peaceful nature of these exercises.
Viktor Gulevich continued: “In view of that Belarus' Armed Forces have worked out a set of measures meant to counteract possible threats. Battalion tactical groups have been moved to the western line of operations and the northwestern line of operations as part of the second stage of an inspection of the immediate response forces. To enable their war-fighting functions, air defense units, units of missile forces and artillery forces are being deployed. A force of up to 20,000 people created by Ukraine's Armed Forces in the southern line of operations also requires a response from us. Special operations forces, which have been deployed in three tactical approaches, ensure Belarus' security. Apart from that, a test of two territorial defense districts was launched today under my supervision. The territorial defense troops will be tasked with guarding important installations.”
