Belarus could become a launchpad for Russian attacks on Lithuania
Can Russia attack Lithuania from Belarusian territory? Colonel Valery Sakhashchyk, the former commander of the airborne brigade in Brest and the Minister of Defence in the Belarusian government-in-exile, does not rule out such a possibility.
Military exercises in Belarus are happening right on the Lithuanian border. Alexander Lukashenko personally visited to evaluate his army's combat readiness.
- Military planning documents exist. Everything has been carefully planned, combat readiness is being assessed, and the personnel are being readied - General Alexander Naumenko, in charge of the Northwestern Operational Command of the Belarusian army, informed Lukashenko.
Is an attack from Belarus likely?
On the very same day, the dictator stated his opposition to war, clarifying he has no plans to attack anyone while also speaking of alleged provocations he claims are being committed by NATO countries.
In a chat with "Rzeczpospolita," Colonel Valery Sakhashchyk, the Defence Minister in the Belarusian government-in-exile, outlines a worrying scenario.
- Belarus will definitely not declare war on Lithuania or Poland nor march its troops into battle. But there's a significant chance Belarus could serve as a launchpad for Russian forces to enter Lithuania or Poland - Colonel Sakhashchyk argues.
“This used to happen in training areas”
Independent Belarusian media outlets have discussed the potential for Russia to target Vilnius. They cite Colonel Sakhashchyk in their analyses. - According to my sources, Russia is outfitting and heavily reinforcing its radiation, chemical, and biological defence forces, a sector that had been largely ignored and underfunded for years - the ex-commander in Brest mentions.
The military notes that roads leading to Vilnius are being refurbished in Belarus. Why? because they'll prove useful for moving military convoys. Furthermore, the recent troop readiness drills were conducted right at the Lithuanian border. Previously, such exercises were held on training grounds, but now, for some reason, they needed to be moved closer to the border—Sachaszczyk elaborates.
- I can't confirm it will happen, but it's a scenario we must consider. The free world needs to bolster its defence capabilities. European citizens should be ready for an increase in military spending. Preparation is key. We cannot afford to be caught off guard by Putin; that would be catastrophic - the "Rzeczpospolita" source stresses.
In August 2022, two years after the contested presidential elections in Belarus, opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya declared the formation of a provisional Belarusian government in exile.
- I've opted to establish a joint transitional cabinet. This collective executive body is committed to daily efforts towards key objectives: defending Belarus' independence and sovereignty, representing our nation's interests, and facilitating the country's de-occupation - Tikhanovskaya explained.
Source: "Rzeczpospolita"
