Expert: Union State’s military doctrine is exclusively defensive in nature

The regional grouping of troops (RGT) deployed in peacetime or during a period of increasing military threat – to repel possible aggression – is known to be located on the western borders of Belarus. The current situation around the country is quite tense. According to the military doctrine of the Union State, the RGT aims to defend the territory of the Union State. Belarus also places great hopes on its territorial troops for the purpose of protecting the country’s sovereignty and independence. Military expert Igor Chibisov commented on the issue.

“The regional grouping of troops is based on the Armed Forces of Belarus, formations and units in their permanent locations, that are engaged in planned combat training. Russia is represented here by the units and formations of its Western Military District. The latest Allied Resolve-2022 drills demonstrated that other formations and parts of the Russian Armed Forces can also be involved,” Mr. Chibisov noted.

According to the expert, in peacetime, the RGT envisages the joint use of military and transport infrastructure facilities in their interests, the formation of a single border space and the preparation of citizens and authorities for territorial and civil defence. In wartime, ‘this is a set of measures aimed at armed defence of the Union State’.

“Military and military-technical co-operation is the most important area of action of Belarus and Russia. Over the period of the Union State existence, our countries have never questioned the need to strengthen ties in the field of defence. Military co-operation has always developed successfully: we are united by a similar idea of military threats. Together with the CSTO countries, through bilateral agreements, we intend to repel any aggression directed against us,” the expert added.

At the same time, Belarus does not consider any of the neighbouring countries as an enemy. Moreover, the RGT provisions emphasise an exclusively defensive nature of the grouping, and the military doctrine of the Union State has the same mission. Minsk and Moscow have also created a joint air defence system for the joint protection of the Union State’s external borders and airspace.