Events

IVATSEVICHI DISTRICT, 5 October (BelTA) – The quality of army personnel training suffers as well as the education of young Belarusian men due to a large number of legal options, which delay their army conscription. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko made the relevant statement while talking to mass media on 5 October, BelTA has learned.

One of the reporters asked Alexander Lukashenko about the prestige of army service and what needs to be done to improve it. “I get rather blunt when I speak about it. Because it triggers me not only as the head of state but also a man,” said the Belarusian leader.

Alexander Lukashenko went on saying that the conscription of about 80% of the young men, who are supposed to be drafted for the Belarusian army, is delayed due to various legal reasons. “Nearly 80% get legal delays. Some due to education, some due to family circumstances. We are the ones, who have decided these men cannot join the army due to legal reasons. It is not normal. Men as a class are dying out, you know,” he said.

The head of state pointed out that many Belarusian men will not know how to use the weapons they will be issued if a military conflict happens. “We are very serious about it. This year and the next half a year we will have to come up with ways to train men how to protect themselves and their families let alone the motherland. We are the ones who have made a mess out of it and are surprised that we lack military personnel somewhere,” said the head of state.