Belarus launches combat readiness drills

Combat readiness drills have begun in Belarus, the country’s defence ministry stated on Telegram. 

The drills were organised following the recruitment of new conscripts in accordance with the military training schedule for 2021-2022, the message says. 

All categories of military personnel, military units and formations, command and control bodies are involved in the drills practising transition from peace footing to war footing, the ministry stated. 

On 26 May, Alyaksandar Lukashenka ordered to establish the Southern Operational Command of the Belarusian Armed Forces. Lukashenka stressed that the need for these changes was dictated by the desire of “the US and its satellite states” to scale up their military presence near Belarus, a state that is considered Russia’s ally. 

In the first days of the war, Lukashenka confirmed that missiles were launched from the territory of Belarus on Ukrainian targets. He stressed that it was a “forced step.” In March, EU states approved sanctions against Belarus for its involvement in Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Lukashenka was accused of allowing the Russian forces to set up camp on Belarusian territory and letting them use the country’s infrastructure objects. Meanwhile, Lukashenka stated that the Belarusian forces do not take part in Russia’s war in Ukraine.