volunteer army
Volunteer army for their own protection
Although the situation between Russia and Belarus is tense, Alexander Lukashenko, Belarusian head of state, continues to work with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Lukashenko is now planning to set up a volunteer army because he fears an attack from Ukraine.
Military cooperation
Military cooperation between Belarus and Russia is particularly strong. According to the Tagesschau, more than 150 joint military exercises are already planned for this year.
Fear of Ukrainian attack on Belarus
The reason for Lukashenko's plans to set up a volunteer army is his fear that Belarus could be attacked by Ukrainian troops.
Volunteer Army in Support of Belarusian Troops
Therefore, in addition to the military troops of Belarus, a volunteer army is now to be set up.
Army of 100,000 to 150,000 volunteers
This is to be formed from 100,000 to 150,000 volunteers. Such a paramilitary formation should be set up in every village and town, as the Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin states according to the Daily News.
About 60,000 professional soldiers
The Belarusian professional army includes around 48,000 soldiers and 12,000 state troops protecting the borders, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
Volunteer army twice as big
The planned volunteer army is expected to be about twice as large as the professional army.
Voluntary territorial defense issued by decree
Lukashenko has already issued an order for a new voluntary territorial defense of his armed forces to set up the volunteer army, according to the Tagesschau.
"Experiences in Ukraine" make a volunteer army necessary
According to the Belarusian president, the "experiences in Ukraine" have shown that additional defense of his country is necessary.
Attack on Ukraine by Russian troops from Belarus possible
Lukashenko had previously opened up the possibility for Russia to attack Ukraine from Belarusian territory.
Russian soldiers in Belarus
Russian soldiers have been stationed in Belarus for a long time.
Increase in Russian soldiers in Belarus
The number of Russian soldiers in Belarus is to be further increased in the future.
Supporting Russia in case of Ukrainian attack
Now, according to the BBC's Steve Rosenberg, Lukashenko has indicated that Belarus will support Russia in the war against Ukraine - but only if the country itself is attacked by Ukraine.
"Be it just one soldier"
Lukashenko said to Rosenberg: "I am also ready to wage war on the side of the Russians from the territory of Belarus, but only if someone - even a single soldier - from there (Ukraine) invades our territory enters with arms to kill my people."
Russian attack on Ukraine from Belarus unlikely but not ruled out
Experts rate the possibility of a Russian attack on Ukraine from Belarus as unlikely, according to Merkur - but they cannot be ruled out.
Frontal attack with only 150,000 troops
A Ukrainian soldier told the Kyiv Post that he believed such a frontal attack would only be possible with an army of 150,000 soldiers, as Merkur reported in early January this year.
If Russia and Belarus work together things could get dicey
At the beginning of the year, however, only 20,000 Russian soldiers were in Belarus. But if Lukashenko's army and his new volunteer army work together with Russia, the necessary number of soldiers for a frontal attack on Ukraine from Belarus could be reached.