Belarus pushes to expand its army amid the tense Ukraine conflict

“Mr Lukashenko tasked the army with creating a militia in Belarus,” Khrenin said on May 27, speaking at a meeting of governors and military commissioners of Belarusian regions. .

After discussing with the governors, this requirement will be adjusted by law, thereby increasing the numerical strength of the Belarusian armed forces, Khrenin added.

“We see this as very necessary. The most important thing is that we have both the people and the weapons for this,” Mr. Khrenin said.

Belarus currently has an estimated 60,000 active-duty troops and 340,000 reservists.

Militia (narodnoe opolcheniye) has a long tradition in Belarus, Russia and Ukraine since the Middle Ages. The 400,000-strong militia played a key role in defeating Napoleon’s invasion in 1812.

In addition to the creation of a militia, Lukashenko also instructed the Belarusian army to establish a military zone operating on the southern border, citing the escalating conflict in Ukraine. Belarus has positioned most of its troops on its western and northwestern borders, facing NATO members Poland, Lithuania and Latvia.

Officials in Minsk last week noted that Ukraine has about 20,000 troops stationed along its border with Belarus, accusing Kiev of setting up fortifications and sending sabotage units to the country. Ukraine has not responded to comment.

Relations between Minsk and Kiev, already strained, have deteriorated further since Russia began its special military operation against Ukraine in February 2022. The Russian military has attacked Ukraine from many directions, including from Belarusian territory, raising fears that Minsk could be directly involved in hostilities. However, Belarus denies these allegations.

Earlier this week, following a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi, Lukashenko also said he was concerned that Poland and some other NATO members were intending to “divide” Ukraine, disguised in disguises. help Kiev.