Lukashenko calls for vigilance amid increased militarism in neighboring states

While approving decisions on protecting the state border in 2024, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko called for vigilance amid the increased military activity in the neighbouring countries.

The head of state noted that this meeting is traditional, it is held in the same format every year, but it is taking on new significance in view of the situation unfolding around Belarus, BelTA reports.

“Therefore, today’s decision to protect the state border was made taking into consideration a new reality: there is a war to the south, it is even worse to the west of the country where we border Poland, Lithuania and other Baltic states. I emphasize: it is even worse. A number of units are being trained there, the commanders have been determined,” the president said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized that “the fighters of these units” who are ready to go against their own country are well known in Belarus.

“Therefore, I keep telling the military, and especially the defence minister that we must not miss anything, to put it simply. In no case should we allow any random developments on our border. Therefore, I call for double vigilance,” the president noted.

The meeting was attended by State Secretary of the Security Council Aleksandr Volfovich, Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin, Chairman of the State Border Committee Konstantin Molostov and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces - First Deputy Defense Minister Viktor Gulevich.

Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that so far the persons in charge are “performing their functions quite well”.

The head of state heard out reports by the head of the State Border Committee and the chief of the General Staff. The president asked about the situation on the land border (border guards call it a green border, although now it can be called a white border, since everything is covered with snow) and the situation in the airspace. “This is also a border. In Soviet times, we were responsible for the border on the ground and airspace as well,” noted Aleksandr Lukashenko.

“We have deployed army personnel to beef up border security. What is the function, the role of the army? How exactly does it help the border troops?” the head of state asked those present.

The president was briefed on the situation on the state border, on the forces and means that are involved in maintaining border security in Belarus and in the neighbouring countries.

According to Chairman of the State Border Committee Major General Konstantin Molostov, Latvia uses military personnel of its Armed Forces and police to protect the state border, in addition to regular units. Latvia significantly stepped up attempts to expel migrants to the territory of Belarus over the past year.

Lithuania’s border area is actively used for the deployment of units of the U.S. and German armed forces. They regularly take part in operational and tactical exercises. In total, up to 12 exercises were conducted in 2023.

“The military need to keep [this] in mind and, frankly speaking, have them in the crosshairs,” the head of state emphasized.

The Polish side uses the 5m-high fence equipped with video surveillance and a system to prevent underground passageways to conduct daily aerial reconnaissance and patrols along the state border, the chairman of the State Border Committee reported.

“I am told by my sources, including border guards and the military, that this fence does not really stop migrants. Migrants overcome it without problems,” Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked.

“Absolutely. The Poles themselves estimate the effectiveness of their fence at no more than 60%,” confirmed Konstantin Molostov.