Lukashenko: Russia's military operation in Ukraine has taught Belarus a great deal
Russia's special military operation in Ukraine has taught Belarus a great deal – as noted by the President at today’s meeting on issues of Belarus’ state defence needs in 2022
The Head of State noted that this issue is being submitted for consideration not for the first time: not so long ago, the Defence Ministry discussed this topic at its Operational Strategic Management Centre.
“Openly speaking, we then viewed our army and, primarily, its armament differently,” Aleksandr Lukashenko noted. “Moreover, to be sincere, Russia's military operation in Ukraine has taught us a great deal. From its early days, I demanded from the Defence Ministry’s heads and all of you – taking into consideration the lessons of the war – to make clear what kind of war will be in Belarus, God forbid, and what warfare means we will need for our army if we suddenly have to defend our country with weapons in our hands.”
The Head of State informed that he constantly demands from the Defence Minister to observe what is happening around and to draw conclusions. “Lessons [must be drawn]. And as I have been informed, lessons have been learned. When I asked ‘Have the approaches changed from the perspective of today regarding that conversation [at the Operational Strategic Management Centre] about the armament of the Belarusian army and the number of its troops?’, [I was told]: ‘Yes, they have changed’. It could not have been any other way. Therefore, from this angle, we should now look at our state defence needs for the current year,” Aleksandr Lukashenko addressed those present.
According to the President, it is the main document regulating the supply of weapons, military hardware and other material means for Belarus’ Armed Forces. “In the current situation, this agenda is topical as never before. The events in Ukraine clearly show that only troops equipped with modern and highly effective weapons, life support complexes, fuel and food are able to solve the tasks set,” he stressed.
Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasised that Belarus has always paid much attention to the availability of modern submachine guns, tanks, and aircraft. However, the events in Ukraine show that it is no less important to provide soldiers with food, to supply ammunition in time, to deploy medical centres, and so on. “That is, rear services support plays an extremely important role – as before – in a modern, seemingly super-revolutionary, modernised army,” the President concluded.
