Lukashenko calls for vigilance amid militaristic situation in neighboring countries

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has called for vigilance amid the militaristic situation in neighbouring countries. He made this statement while approving decisions on state border protection for 2024, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.

The Head of State noted that this is a traditional event, repeated year after year, but very important due to the situation unfolding around Belarus. "Today's decision on state border protection has its peculiarity in that we have a special situation: there is a war in the south, and in the west, there are Poland, Lithuania, and the Baltic states – which is even worse. I stress: even worse. Relevant units are being prepared there, commanders have been identified," the President said.

Alexander Lukashenko emphasised that Belarus is aware of "the fighters of these units" who are already ready to fight against their own country.

"Therefore, as I always tell the military, and especially the Minister of Defence, we must not miss anything, to put it in plain language. Under no circumstances should any accidental developments be allowed at our border. Therefore, vigilance and vigilance again," the President pointed out.

The event was attended by State Secretary of the Security Council Alexander Volfovich, Minister of Defence Viktor Khrenin, Chairman of the State Border Committee Konstantin Molostov, and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces – First Deputy Minister of Defence Viktor Gulevich.

Alexander Lukashenko noted that so far, the responsible officials "are performing their duties quite well."

The Head of State heard reports from the head of the State Border Committee and the Chief of the General Staff. Separately, the President inquired about the situation on the land border (border guards call it the green border, although now it could be called the white border, as everything is covered in snow) and in the airspace. "This is also a border. In Soviet times, our responsibility included the border line and the airspace as well," Alexander Lukashenko remarked.

"We have reinforced the state border with the army. What is the function, the role of the army? How are we fulfilling it there, providing support and assistance to the border troops?" the Head of State asked the attendees a series of further questions.

The President was briefed on the current situation at the state border, the forces and means involved in ensuring border security from the Belarusian side, as well as the contingent in the neighbouring countries.

Thus, in Latvia, according to the Chairman of the State Border Committee, Major General Konstantin Molostov, in addition to regular units, servicemen of the Armed Forces and police officers of that country are involved in guarding the state border. On the Latvian section of the state border, attempts to expel migrants into the territory of Belarus have significantly increased over the past year.

As for Lithuania, the border area is also actively used for the deployment of units of the US and German armed forces. Operational-tactical level exercises are regularly conducted with their participation. A total of up to 12 exercises were conducted in 2023.

"The military must keep this in mind and, frankly speaking, keep them in their sights," the head of state emphasized in this regard.

In turn, the Polish side, based on the constructed barrier in the form of a 5-meter high fence with a video surveillance system and anti-digging measures, conducts daily aerial reconnaissance and patrols along the state border, the Chairman of the State Border Committee reported.

"I am informed by my sources, including border guards and military personnel, that this fence is practically ineffective against migrants. Migrants overcome it without problems," Alexander Lukashenko noted.

"Absolutely correct. The Poles themselves estimate the effectiveness of their fence at only 60%. No more than that," Konstantin Molostov confirmed.

Source: belta.by