Defense ministry organizing training camps for those missing harvesting targets

July 31, Pozirk. The defense ministry has announced preparations for holding military drills for the poorly performing farm staff, including managers.

In cooperation with local authorities, the defense ministry is developing call-up procedures for workers who have failed to perform their duties properly during the 2026 harvesting season, according to the ministry’s press office.

At a government conference on July 21, Alaksandar Łukašenka directed that such individuals should be sent to southern Belarus to guard the border with Ukraine. 

“Well, why should we handcuff people amid personnel shortages?” the Belarusian ruler’s press office quoted him as saying. “Ask [Defense Minister Viktar] Chrenin, pass my instructions to him: everyone who doesn’t know how to work should be with the army, at the southern border. In the forest. Our guys, the Special Operations Forces, have been deployed there along the Ukrainian border by my order.”

Łukašenka claimed that Belarus is “not planning to attack anyone” but simply taking precautions. “It’s not easy — mosquitoes, flies, midges and so on. So send them there, to be with the army. As ordinary soldiers. After week of training, [with] a grenade launcher, a machine gun, put them at the disposal of the Special Operations Forces,” he added. Łukašenka stressed that his order applies to all workers, including government officials of all levels. Those who lack skill to operate “a tractor or a combine harvester or turn a wrench” should do military service during the harvesting season, he said.

Military recruitment center officials have subsequently started visiting agricultural companies to identify poor workers who should be punished with military service.

Economy Security Society

Economy, Security, Society

Recruitment officials visiting farms to see who should be punished with service at Ukrainian border

July 24, Pozirk. Representatives of military recruitment centers are visiting agricultural companies to identify underperforming workers who should be sent to southern Belarus to guard the border with Ukraine pursuant to Alaksandar Łukašenka’s recent directive.  The officials have visited the Kleck, Puchavičy and Słuck …

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