Footage of Lukashenko released: Call to the army to be ready for war
In a released video, Belarusian leader Lukashenko called on his army to prepare for war, stating that they would occupy a portion of Polish territory.
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Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko visited a Belarusian army base near the Lithuanian border and discussed potential military operations in the Suwalki corridor with soldiers. In the footage recorded during the meeting, Lukashenko was seen ordering his army to be ready for conflict with the Baltic states and to occupy Poland.
The Belarusian channel Pul Pervogo, which follows Lukashenko, published the video recording of the meeting on Telegram.
WHAT IS IN THE FOOTAGE?
Speaking to commanders, Lukashenko asks in the released video, "They are always talking about the Suwalki corridor. How many kilometers is it to the territory of the Russian Federation?"
Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin responds to the question in the released footage, stating that it is 42 kilometers in a straight line and approximately 90 kilometers along the border.
After learning the width of the Suwalki Gap, Lukashenko expresses that 'their' attitude is wrong, likely referring to Lithuania.
In the footage, the Belarusian leader says, "But now you will have to face the Baltic republics... And you will take a part of Poland."
Lukashenko then asks the commander next to him whether he can keep the region under control with his troops. North Western Operational Command Commander Alexander Naumenko assures Lukashenko that 'all actions are planned, issues of combat readiness are being worked on, and personnel are being trained.'
WHY IS SUWALKI IMPORTANT?
The Suwalki corridor is the transit region between the Kaliningrad region, which is geographically separated from the Russian mainland, and Belarus. Suwalki is considered a very likely point of attack in the event of a possible war by Russia against NATO's eastern members.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg had previously drawn attention to the importance of Suwalki, stating that Russia could target this region if it were to attack the Baltic states.