Defense minister: NATO is building up offensive potential near Belarus' borders

NATO member states are building up the offensive potential of the armed forces near Belarus' borders. Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin made the statement during a government conference held by the Belarus president in the Defense Ministry's strategic control center on 29 November to discuss military security, BelTA has learned.

The Defense Ministry constantly evaluates the military political situation around Belarus and searches for optimal ways to enhance the country's military security. Viktor Khrenin said: “Results of the evaluation indicate that the measures Western countries are taking to militarize the region lead to a substantial change of the balance of forces. The offensive potential of the armed forces of the NATO member states is being built up near our borders.”

The defense minister pointed out that new military units are being deployed in neighboring countries, modern weapon systems are being acquired. For instance, the 18th Mechanized Division and a territorial defense brigade are being formed in Poland. “Some of them are in the immediate vicinity of our state border,” Viktor Khrenin stressed. “The acquisition of Abrams tanks, Patriot air defense missile systems, multiple-launch rocket systems Himars, and F-35 combat aircraft carrying cruise missiles is particularly concerning.”