Russia's Closest Ally Increases Military Preparations

Russia’s closest ally provides details on new militia

RT

The new people’s militia being created in Belarus could number up to 150,000 personnel, according to Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin.

Minsk is closely monitoring developments in Ukraine and sees the need for a people’s force in addition to the country’s military, Khrenin told the Belarus Segodnya outlet on Monday.

The new militia will be tasked with “helping the local authorities maintain order during martial law,” which could be introduced if a conflict in a neighboring state spills over into Belarus, he said. 

“Activities of various sabotage groups, spikes in crime, looting – anything could happen,” the minister noted of the challenges that the new force may face.

Belarus has allowed close ally Moscow to use its territory during the military operation in Ukraine, but has declined to involve its own forces in the fighting. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said last week that the situation would change only if Ukraine launched a direct attack on his country.

Moscow and Minsk set up a joint military force on Belarusian territory in the fall to address perceived threats from the West, which, according to Lukashenko, is eager to drag the country into the Ukrainian conflict in order to extend the frontline and stretch the Russian forces.