A. Lukashenko: territorial forces are an effective means of state defense

On November 3, Minsk /BELTA correspondent/. Territorial defence forces are an effective means of state defence. This was stated by the President of Belarus, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Alexander Lukashenko, on November 3, during his visit to the stationary command post of the territorial defence zone headquarters in Minsk, BELTA was informed by the press service of the Belarusian leader. "Everything we do is not for show. We do not need showmanship," the head of state stressed. Alexander Lukashenko recalled the sad lessons of the Great Patriotic War, when the invaders' troops swept through the territory of Belarus in a matter of weeks. "Is this normal? To prevent this from happening, we must learn lessons, we must remember this," the President emphasized. According to him, territorial defence forces are an effective means of state defence in case of external aggression. This approach also allows for minimizing financial costs. In this regard, the head of state noted that the country does not have the capacity or the need to maintain a large army that needs to be fed, clothed, etc. "We do not have such an opportunity today – and it is not needed, but the population must be prepared so that it can perform its functions at the right moment. This will be the most effective defence of our state. Because they come directly from home, from their work collectives, and they will know everything that is happening," the Belarusian leader believes. "We must preserve our country. And if everyone sees that we are seriously engaged in this, they will never dare to interfere," the President is confident. Addressing the reservists called up to territorial units for the duration of the exercise, Alexander Lukashenko stressed the responsibility of each person in defending their country. "Some may not like it, some may find it inconvenient, but it is necessary," said the head of state. Alexander Lukashenko believes that the ideas of territorial defence should be more widely promoted, and people should be told more about what it is and why it is needed. The President demanded that all formalism be completely excluded from the training of territorial defence forces and the organization of territorial defence. "All of this is very serious, and not because we are afraid of something. We need to ensure the security of our country," the President noted. He also recalled the negative experience of the Soviet era, when issues of state defence were often resolved purely formally and were only worked out on paper.

The President highly praised the actions of the territorial defence zone headquarters in Minsk and the Mayor of the capital personally. "I see that you are in control of the situation, you know what needs to be protected, how it needs to be protected, and how to act," said the Head of State, addressing the Chairman of the Minsk City Executive Committee, Nikolai Ladutko, who is also the head of the city's defence council. Similar councils in the regions of Belarus are headed by governors. In this regard, to emphasize the special importance and responsibility of such a position, the President decided to award the military rank of Major General to the heads of the regions and the city of Minsk. Pointing to Nikolai Ladutko, the Head of State said: "From today, he is a Major General. He is responsible for territorial defence with his head. And it is his right, after informing the President, to deploy the entire territorial defence. If the President approves, let him deploy." Alexander Lukashenko noted that territorial defence exercises should be held annually in Minsk, based in one of the districts. The President instructed the capital's Defence Council on the need to thoroughly work out all documents on the organization of territorial defence, adapt them to the conditions of the real situation if necessary, and make appropriate changes. At the same time, the main attention, according to the Head of State, should be paid to the quality of selection and training of personnel for the territorial troops. Territorial defence itself should be nationwide and thoroughly worked out. Alexander Lukashenko also expressed the opinion that businessmen, people with sufficient means, should be the core of territorial defence formations. "Businessmen should be the core of such formations. They have something to lose," stated Alexander Lukashenko. During a visit to the stationary command post of the territorial defence zone headquarters in Minsk, the Head of State was briefed on the state's territorial defence system. Nikolai Ladutko reported to Alexander Lukashenko on his decision regarding the organization of territorial defence. The President was also shown the actions of officials in managing territorial troops during the elimination of the consequences of sabotage at one of the enterprises, and the search and destruction of a sabotage group of a conditional enemy. Then Alexander Lukashenko familiarized himself with the organization of engineering training classes for reservists. The President also visited the State Enterprise "Special Enterprise of the Minsk City Executive Committee", which houses warehouses for material assets necessary for territorial forces. The Head of State highly commended what he saw. "If everything in the country is stored like this, then there are no questions. Very dignified," he said. On November 4, Alexander Lukashenko will continue to participate in a territorial defence exercise at a training ground near Grodno. There, the President will be shown practical actions for the joint search and elimination of a sabotage and reconnaissance group of the enemy by the territorial defence forces and special operations forces of the Armed Forces. The command and staff exercise with the Armed Forces, other troops and military formations is being held from October 31 to November 4, by order of the President of Belarus, with the aim of verifying the effectiveness of the territorial defence system. Its theme is "Planning of the Territorial Defence of the Republic of Belarus. Organisation of interaction and comprehensive support, and command of territorial defence forces during the performance of their assigned tasks". The exercise tests the readiness of Belarus's territorial defence system for operation, as well as the ability of management bodies to exercise their assigned management functions in planning and conducting territorial defence. The validity of decisions made on the use of territorial defence forces is verified by practical actions of territorial troops. For this purpose, about 400 people have been called up from the reserve to the headquarters of territorial defence zones and territorial troop units. Territorial defence is the most important component of defence measures carried out in accordance with the Defence Plan of the Republic of Belarus. The objectives of territorial defence are to give the state's defence a nationwide character, to enhance the capabilities of the state's military organisation to protect sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to create conditions for the stable functioning of state bodies and organisations, the economy, infrastructure facilities, and the population's life support in Belarus in the event of a military threat and during wartime. -0-

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