Minsk probes measures to combat hybrid war in Belarus

The Belarusian authorities have held command and staff exercises of the territorial forces and defence bodies of the Gomel region near the border with Ukraine, and announced strengthening of the land border. Official Minsk probes measures to counter the penetration of illegal armed groups and resist hybrid military action in Belarus. It is noteworthy that the exercises are carried out in the southeast of Belarus at the Belarusian-Ukrainian border and close to the border with Russia. In order to pre-empt any accusations by the Kremlin media of ‘unfriendly’ nature of such exercises, the Belarusian Security Council announced on behalf of President Lukashenko, that military exercises were held to check the efficiency of the Belarusian-Ukrainian border protection. As presidential elections draw closer in Belarus, the authorities might strengthen national security measures and might take additional measures to counter possible destabilization of the socio-political situation.