President Lukashenko: Belarusian special services prevent arms supplies

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko presented state awards and general’s shoulder straps to senior officers in a ceremony at the Palace of Independence on February 23.

“True defenders of the Fatherland gathered at the Palace of Independence on this day to receive awards for military services in peacetime,” President Lukashenko said, BelTA reports. 

 “We live in peace because these people stand in the way of the real enemy. They shield us as a strong wall, promptly identifying and detaining saboteurs, clearing explosive devices,” he said.

“We have peace and quiet because our guys infiltrate terrorist groups risking their lives, prevent the supply of deadly weapons and ammunition to the country and suppress the espionage activities of foreign intelligence services. Our people sleep peacefully because both officers and generals take part in combat operations, sometimes risking their life and limb. Today, the best of them have been awarded high state awards and the highest military ranks,” the president added.

The president thanked them for their service and for preventing hybrid attacks on Belarus from escalating into a full-scale bloodbath.