Belarus President Alexander Lukashenka has initiated a comprehensive, unannounced inspection of the country’s armed forces.
Unannounced Military Inspection Ordered
At the President’s order, a large-scale inspection of the Armed Forces has begun. The inspection will be comprehensive and consist of several stages. The inspection will be unannounced, stated Secretary of State of the Security Council Alexander Volfovich.
The plan for the inspection was approved by the president. He said he would personally participate in this inspection, but he will personally determine which units and in what timeframe, added Volfovich. During the inspection, issues such as the protection of military units and counteraction to modern means, particularly unmanned aerial vehicles, will be checked.
Russia Deploys Oriesznik Missile System in Belarus
At the end of December last year, the Russian Ministry of Defense presented the mobile ground-based missile system Oriesznik for the first time. “It has entered combat service in Belarus” – the ministry reported. “On the territory of the Republic of Belarus, all necessary conditions have been created in advance for combat duty and for the accommodation of Russian soldiers” – it added.
Belarus is a key ally of Russia. Moscow used its territory to launch the offensive against Ukraine in February 2022. In August, Minsk announced that it would practice the deployment of “Oriesznik” missiles during joint Zapad-2025 exercises near the eastern border of the EU and NATO.
In early December, the German Arrow system was activated in Holzdorf, near the border with Poland, to counter Oriesznik. It enables the interception of enemy missiles at altitudes of even over 100 km.
