Opinions & Interviews

Combat readiness inspection demonstrates Belarusian army’s ability to repel any aggression

BREST OBLAST, 29 April (BelTA) – The unscheduled readiness inspection of a Belarusian army unit demonstrates that the troops are ready to repel any aggression against Belarus if necessary, BelTA learned from Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, First Deputy Defense Minister of Belarus Viktor Gulevich.

A combat readiness inspection of the Armed Forces has been in progress since 3 April upon instructions of the head of state. It is supposed to determine the army’s capability to carry out missions in a rapidly changing situation. The units have finished the combat shakedown stage and have moved to designated areas for carrying combat training tasks.

Viktor Gulevich said: “Combat training is the main component in the operation of army units. It is also affected by the tense situation evolving near our borders. We are forced to respond to unfriendly steps on the part of our neighbors, which organize intensive combat training events.”

According to the officer, Belarus’ Armed Forces stay in shape. “The inspection being carried out according to the plan of the State Secretariat of the Security Council upon instructions of the president is dedicated to that. The combined-arms army unit’s personnel number has been raised up to wartime standards – 6,000 people. We have transitioned to the final stage of the inspection – a brigade-level tactical exercise,” Viktor Gulevich said.

He noted that commanding officers of all ranks are confident in the readiness of their units for carrying out missions. According to the chief of the General Staff, the concept of the exercise developed by the commander is very interesting and versatile: “The events are taking place on a large scale. Five military training areas have been utilized for the exercise. The practicing of deployment of different forces and assets gives all branches of the inspected army unit an opportunity to carry out their missions.”

Viktor Gulevich reminded about NATO’s exercise Defender Europe and about the Anaconda exercise taking place in Poland. “We demonstrate that if need be, our troops are ready to repel any aggression directed against Belarus. The concept of the exercise testifies to that. According to the concept, defensive battles are being fought at the borders and the advancing enemy is suffering maximum casualties,” the officer stated.

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