Belarus launches surprise military readiness drill

Belarus has begun a surprise military readiness check of its armed forces on the orders of President Alexander Lukashenko, the Ministry of Defence announced.

According to the ministry, the first unit being inspected is a technical support formation and one of the largest in the Armed Forces, housing a variety of armoured weapons and military equipment, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Belarusian state agency.

State Secretary of the Security Council Alexander Volfovich said the inspection will be conducted in multiple phases and will take into account lessons from the conflict in Ukraine.

“The president stated that he will personally participate in the inspection, but he will decide which units and at what times himself,” Volfovich added.

On January 12, Belarusian Defence Minister Viktor Khrenin told Lukashenko that the ministry is observing an “unprecedented militarisation” along the country’s perimeter. 

He specifically pointed to violations of the republic’s airspace. Khrenin also highlighted the presence of cruise missiles at US bases in Poland and Romania.

By Jeyhun Aghazada