Belarus Conducts Large-Scale Tactical Exercises in Border Area with Poland... "Monitoring NATO Forces' Movements"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Belarus Ministry of Defense announced plans to conduct large-scale tactical exercises in the western region along the border with Poland. This is interpreted as following President Aleksandr Lukashenko's directive to strengthen defense in the western border area, citing the deployment of NATO forces there. President Lukashenko is reported to have visited the border city of Hrodna, adjacent to Poland, and ordered the identification of protest leaders.

According to Russia's TASS news agency, on the 24th (local time), the Belarus Ministry of Defense stated that from the 28th to the 31st, large-scale tactical exercises will be conducted targeting units under the Western Operational Command located in the western border area with Poland. The Belarus Ministry of Defense explained, "Some military units will enter a wartime posture along with the mobilization of reservists," adding, "We plan to assess the army's capabilities and readiness in a dynamically changing situation and carry out activities to enhance military capabilities."

This follows President Lukashenko's visit the previous day to the western border city of Hrodna, where he ordered the identification of protest leaders and monitoring of NATO troop movements along the Polish border. On that day, President Lukashenko was seen holding an automatic rifle and wearing a bulletproof vest, criticizing, "The opposition, supported by the West, is attempting a regime change."

The Belarusian opposition, which has been leading protests against the presidential election results for over two weeks, announced that they had contacted Steve Biegun, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, the previous day. According to Russia's Interfax news agency and others, on that day, Belarusian opposition presidential candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held talks with Deputy Secretary Biegun in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, expressing willingness to resolve the protests peacefully. Tsikhanouskaya is currently staying in Lithuania due to safety concerns.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.