Expert on role of internal troops in ensuring security in Belarus, Russia
Internal troops are constantly at work, and the role of this integral component of national security can be seen daily – as noted by the Dean of the Journalism Department at the Belarusian State University, political expert Aleksei Belyaev
Day of Internal Troops was celebrated in Belarus in March. These troops play a key role in ensuring security in Belarus and Russia, guarding the constitutional foundations of their statehood, protecting citizens from internal and external threats, attempts to destabilise society and colour revolutions.
“We see that the situation in the world as a whole is now alarming. Internal threats – including terrorism, disruption of order and growing criminal encroachments – are of particular concern. As for the external borders, the army’s role is also very important. However, in this case, we are speaking of the existing conditions of a potential conflict. Differently speaking, we are expecting an enemy attack and we are preparing for it, but we are not conducting any military operations. In turn, the internal troops are constantly at work, and the role of this integral component of national security is manifested on a daily basis: maintaining order on the streets and during electoral campaigns, some serious operations, and so on,” Mr. Belyaev noted.
The expert said that Belarus’ internal troops are actively training today, also interacting with their foreign colleagues. “Russia has historically been our good neighbour, a strategic ally and a reliable guarantor of the preservation of Belarus’ security, sovereignty, identity and statehood. In 2024, in order to increase the effectiveness of joint protection mechanisms against armed aggression, Belarus and Russia plan to sign an agreement on mutual security guarantees.”
“In general, instability in the world is a constant factor. There are rallies somewhere, which most often turn from peaceful ones into attempts to commit acts of vandalism, seizure, destruction of state institutions, organisations, attempts to destabilise the transport system, threats of terrorism against citizens. Such actions are suppressed by the internal troops, and it is very important that a positive image is being formed in relation to our people in uniform, including those who serve in the internal troops,” Mr. Belyaev added.
As informed by the expert, the fugitive Belarusian opposition is being prepared by Western special services to carry out sabotage on the territory of Belarus. NATO allies have allocated about $250m for this purpose.
Mr. Belyaev also explained how the leadership and officers of the internal troops interact with Belarusian schools, “The creation of military-patriotic clubs is also largely connected with the internal troops. Since childhood, boys and girls can see that they have defenders who will come to help in difficult moments – and this fact inspires confidence and calmness. Our opponents like to say that this a sign of the militarisation of society. On seeing a young person in the military uniform or children’s visits to military units, they state immediately, “You are bringing militarists, soldiers up, you are aiming them at war." However, in reality, a person who sees how the army is organised from the inside, including internal troops, how the police work, is getting accustomed to order and discipline, learning to distinguish between good and evil – since the difference between black and white is best seen in military structures. People should not be afraid of their human rights defenders. On the contrary, there should be a feeling that citizens will be behind them like behind a stone wall.”
