MINSK, 13 August (BelTA) – Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin talked to reporters after delivering a confidential report to Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko on 13 August, BelTA has learned.
The minister explained that the report had been thorough and had covered many topics. In particular, it describes the state of affairs in Belarus’ Armed Forces, the military activity aspect of the situation at Belarus’ border with neighboring countries, the degree of the Belarusian army’s readiness for repulsing a potential aggression.
Preparations for and the concept of the Zapad 2025 exercise
According to Viktor Khrenin, one of the central topics covered by the report was preparations for holding the Belarusian-Russian strategic military exercise Zapad 2025 [West 2025]. The preparations proceed in strict compliance with previous instructions. All the main active steps and actions of the troops will take place in the center of the country, in the army’s main military training areas outside the city of Borisov.
Two Russian army units have already arrived in Belarus for the sake of taking part in the Zapad 2025 exercise. They are getting deployed in the military training area. In turn, two units of the 120th Mechanized Brigade of Belarus’ Armed Forces have left for Russia where they will take part in practical events of this exercise.
Viktor Khrenin mentioned the staffs are ready for holding the Zapad 2025 exercise. In his words, the final steps are being taken to prepare the military training areas.
“We feel confident and calm. We don’t hide the topics of the exercise,” he stressed. “We say that the main one is to practice defending our territory by using the joint regional military force. It is a scheduled event. It is not some unexpected decision.” In line with decisions of the heads of state Belarus and Russia hold these exercises every two years. This year’s exercise will take place on 12-16 September and will involve two stages.
During the first stage the staffs will have to practice planning and managing the troops in the course of repulsing an aggression against the Union State of Belarus and Russia. During the second stage the liberation of captured territories and the stabilization of the situation will be practiced. “We state it plainly and we are going to carry out all of it in a calm manner,” the defense minister said.
Apart from that, the report to the president covered preparations for holding a military exercise within the framework of the Collective Security Treaty Organization. The exercise is due to take place in Vitebsk Oblast on 31 August – 6 September. Some of the designated Russian army units have already arrived. Military contingents from other CSTO countries are expected to arrive. Viktor Khrenin stressed that this exercise is also being held on schedule, absolutely calmly and demonstrates Belarus’ openness and the transparency of the country’s intentions.
Invitations for international observers to attend the Zapad 2025 exercise
According to the defense minister, invitations have been sent to all the states parties to the Vienna document on security. To a total of 56 countries. “Invitations have been sent to all of them. We are waiting for answers for now. I cannot say yet who specifically [will be present],” he said. Responses from those willing to observe the exercise are expected to arrive by 20 August.
Apart from that, within the framework of international military cooperation Belarus has sent invitations to another 25 countries. Those are mainly participating states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and other friendly countries. It has been done to allow them to send their representatives or, if it is possible, send heads of their defense agencies to observe the exercise, Viktor Khrenin explained.
“But that’s not all. There are over 30 military attaches in our country, including nine from NATO countries. They will also have an opportunity [to observe the exercise]. We invite all of them to observe our exercise. By doing so, we once again underline our love for peace, openness, and the genuine desire to reduce military tensions that we regretfully see and feel. We are making the first step. We would like our neighbors to reciprocate,” the defense minister pointed out.
New components of the exercise
One of the reporters wondered whether the upcoming exercise may utilize new special elements, for instance, for setting up the territories. Coincidentally the Belarus president gave the relevant instructions – to set up fortified zones – when he visited one and was made familiar with its equipment in Kobrin District, Brest Oblast.
“After that, the head of state gave instructions to set up such elements in fortified zones. Four out of five fortified zones are already ready. They are actively used by the troops as part of combat training events. During the Zapad 2025 exercise we also intend to train our troops in two out of the five zones. It will be done in the direction of Volkovysk and in the direction of Smorgon,” the minister informed.
In his words, on the whole the exercise will utilize many forces and assets. Troops of the Western Command and the Northwestern Operational Command will make up the core. But, of course, the Special Operations Forces Command will be involved as well. “All the units will operate both in military training areas and in terrain sectors in Belarus’ territory as part of battalion tactical groups, company tactical groups. We will train both troops and staffs,” Viktor Khrenin remarked.
By the way, the minister had mentioned the special operations forces in his report to the president. The report had covered how the plans approved by the head of state on developing the Armed Forces and in particular the Special Operations Forces are being fulfilled. The organizational structure of the Special Operations Forces has been revised. Their firepower has been substantially increased. A reactive regiment and an air defense missile regiment have been handed over to the Special Operations Forces Command.
Nuclear arms and Oreshnik missiles
The reporters asked Viktor Khrenin whether the Belarusian-Russian exercise will practice planning the use of nuclear arms and Oreshnik [Hazelnut] missile systems.
The defense minister noted that nuclear arms are an important element of first and foremost strategic deterrence. “As the head of state demands, we should be ready for everything. We see the situation at our western, northern borders and cannot calmly observe the militarization and military activity. We demonstrate our openness, love for peace but we must always keep our powder dry,” Viktor Khrenin said.
Viktor Khrenin stressed that during the exercise Belarusian military personnel together with Russian colleagues will also practice planning to use Oreshnik missile systems. “Certainly, within the framework of the Zapad exercise together with Russian colleagues we will practice matters of planning to use this kind of weapons,” he said.
The defense minister also stated that the leadership of NATO countries is trying to use the Zapad 2025 exercise as a reason for holding military exercises of its own. “We are most concerned about the decision of Poland’s military leadership to set up a grouping in excess of 30,000-34,000 military personnel. It is already a serious grouping according to our estimates. It is necessary to very carefully look (we are going to do that) and respond. If they manifest any aggression towards the Republic of Belarus, we have something to respond with,” he assured.
The main task of the Belarusian army
One of the questions touched upon the readiness of the Belarusian army to repulse a possible assault from Belarus’ potential adversaries. The matter remains topical considering the tense situation evolving near the Belarusian borders.
Viktor Khrenin said in response: “To be ready for repulsing the adversary’s aggression is our main task. All the efforts of our Armed Forces are geared towards it. We constantly work on improving the training levels of our staffs and troops. We constantly adjust the structure of the Armed Forces. We make amendments to our documents, forms and methods of operation of army units. We look at how instruments of war develop. Nowadays they develop very rapidly. For instance, unmanned aerial vehicles make very serious changes to the battlefield.”
The defense minister recalled the head of state’s demand “to stay alert”: “This is what we do. With this in mind we organize military exercises and drills and mobilize persons eligible for military service… You can see the large complex of events and steps that the Armed Forces are implementing now.”
He stressed that at the same time Belarus’ Armed Forces understand that potential adversaries monitor these processes and evaluate the Belarusian army. This is why one has to take into account how they can act against Belarus. These scenarios are considered during all military exercises and tabletop exercises. “This is what we call preparation and readiness for repulsing an aggression,” the defense minister stated.
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