Session on results of inspection of Armed Forces

The Belarusian army should respond effectively to modern challenges and threats, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at a session on the results of the inspection of the Armed Forces.

“We invest significant resources in the maintenance and re-equipment of the army. Troops receive new types of military technology, equipment and means of control. Belarus is not going to be drawn into an arms race, and engage in saber rattling. However, due to the current military political situation, we cannot afford different proportions of public expenditure financing. We will spend as much on our security as it is necessary,” the head of state said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that through the media Belarus informed the general public and all those who are interested in security and defense matters outside Belarus about the regular inspection of the armed forces. “On my instruction, such inspections are held suddenly in order to learn the true state of affairs in the army,” he said.

In this connection the meeting will consider the state of affairs in the armed forces and possible problems. “Our army is one of the main instruments of the state to ensure military security. It should effectively respond to modern challenges and threats. This is a crucial requirement,” the Belarusian leader underlined.

The head of state noted that the money is invested in the army money to increase the combat capabilities of the armed forces and improve defense of Belarus. “It is unacceptable when costly weapons are underutilized or come into disrepair due to the lack of professionalism of individual commanders. The goal is not just to preserve or increase the military potential of our army, but to use it rationally. It is not just about military expenditures. One of the key elements of defense capability is readiness for complete mobilization and high skills of the troops, especially officers. Without soldiers, officers, general no weapons will help any army,” Aleksandr Lukashenko noted.

According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, these were the aspects he asked to focus on during the inspection of the armed forces. “I was informed about the results of the inspection. The inspection discovered numerous shortcomings. Almost all of them were purely subjective: formalism, complacency, and lack of order, which is absolutely unacceptable for us. This is not the way the armed forces should function,” the head of state said.

“You know that we cannot get complacent, as such attitude leads to irresponsibility, which can cost a lot to the state and the people. God forbid, we have a war time again. You know what happened during the Great Patriotic War,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “Today we already know a lot about the reasons why the Nazi army manged to cross Belarus within two months or even less. This happened not because Belarus or its people were not good enough. This happened because of mismanagement and bungling. Talks about war were forbidden to avoid provocations, to appease. We must learn from such lessons,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

“All people in uniform, especially commanders, should be a model of decency and good performance. This applies both to the use of weapons and training and education of subordinates,” the Belarusian leader noted.

He emphasized that it is the officers corps who are responsible for young people, for turning them, over a short period of time, into real soldiers, defenders of the motherland.

According to the head of state, instructions were given to study the issues of ideological activity as it directly affects the military discipline. “The reports show a steady tendency towards reducing number of offenses in the army. They still happen, however. According to the crime rate statistics, the situation in the armed forces is better than in the country in general. The situation with corruption incidents is under control. The number of crimes related to the death of personnel in the line of duty has decreased as well,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko

At the same he drew attention to the fact that in 2017 there was a rise in the incidents of hazing. “I would like to know the reason. Is that really a surge in the number of so-called hazing incidents or the defense ministry and other relevant government bodies have toughened the requirements and started to take these all into account?” the president asked.

After the session the President has made new appointments in the Armed Forces.

Alexander Volfovich who previously worked as the commander of the units of the Western Operational Command has been appointed first deputy head of the General Staff of the Armed Forces.

Andrei Zhuk has been appointed commander of the units of the Western Operational Command. Previously he worked as the deputy commander of the units of the Western Operational Command.

Igor Demidenko has been appointed deputy commander of the units of the Western Operational Command. Previously he worked as the head of the information and analytical department of the General Staff.

Leonid Kasinsky has been appointed aide to the defense minister for ideological work – head of the main department for ideological work at the Defense Ministry. Previously he worked as the first deputy head of the main department for ideological work at the Defense Ministry – head of the department for moral and psychological support of the main department for ideological work at the Defense Ministry.