Mobilization drills have begun in Belarus

Annual mobilization readiness drills have begun in Belarus under the leadership of regional executive committee heads and will continue through October 2. The exercises are designed to improve coordination between local authorities and personnel from various organizations during the formation of territorial defense forces and people’s militia units.

Similar exercises are also scheduled in the Vitebsk and Gomel regions from October 13 to 16. Since the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, military and paramilitary exercises have been taking place almost continuously on Belarusian territory.

At the same time, the country’s self-proclaimed president, Alexander Lukashenko, has repeatedly and baselessly spoken of threats from neighboring states and, commenting on the training of these units, has stated that Belarus is “preparing for war.”

This was reported by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, citing a statement from the Belarusian Ministry of Defense.

Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin stated that the risk of an armed conflict between Russia and Belarus on one side and the West on the other is currently extremely high. According to him, such a confrontation could quickly escalate into a global war.

Lukashenko stated that Belarusian military personnel will not take part in the war against Ukraine.