War in Ukraine: Belarusian opposition fears possible mobilization
war in Ukraine
Belarusian opposition concerned about possible mobilization
Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin (l) and the Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk. photo
© Pavel Bednyakov/Pool Sputnik Kremlin via AP/dpa
There have long been fears of Belarusian involvement in the war against Ukraine. According to an opposition politician, preparations for a mobilization are well advanced.
Concerns are growing among the Belarusian opposition about a possible mobilization in their country in support of Russia’s war of aggression against the Ukraine. The opposition politician Pawel Latuschka, who lives in exile in Warsaw, told the editorial network Germany that the preparations for this were well advanced. The Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko only needs to press the button on orders from the Kremlin to start mobilizing. Former Belarusian culture minister Latushka is a member of opposition leader Svetlana Tichanovskaya’s cabinet in exile.
As Latushka reported, citing sources from Minsk, almost all employees who report to the Belarusian Interior Ministry were asked to surrender their passports. This information would come from various cities in the country. “It means that these individuals are entering the territory of Belarus can no longer leave in the event of their mobilization,” said Latuschka.
One can also observe that the Russian military presence in Belarus is constantly growing. That affects the number of soldiers and the equipment. “Military exercises of the Russian Armed Forces, including inter-army cooperation exercises of Russia and Belarus take place regularly,” said Latuschka.
Lukashenko depends on the Kremlin
fears There have been reports of the active participation of the Belarusian military in the war of aggression against Ukraine practically since the beginning of the Russian invasion of the neighboring country at the end of February 2022. The Russian armed forces have used the territory of ally Belarus as a starting point for attacks on Ukraine.
According to official information, Lukashenko visited a joint Russian-Belarusian force in the country on Friday. The Ministry of Defense in Minsk said that the “experience gained through the merging of military units and associations” is “of great importance” for Belarus. Speculations have recently increased that a renewed Russian attack in the direction of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv could again take place via Belarus.
Ruler Alexander Lukashenko, who is no longer recognized as president in the West, is militarily, politically and economically dependent on the Kremlin. According to official information, Belarusian soldiers have not yet fought in Ukraine.
