Russian State Duma ratifies protocols to keep military bases in Belarus for 25 more years

September 14, BPN. At the initiative of the Russian government, the State Duma has ratified protocols to agreements on extending the use of Russian military bases in Belarus, the lower house of the Russian parliament reports.

The intergovernmental protocols to the Russian-Belarusian agreements extend the use of two Russian military bases in Belarus by another 25 years. These are a missile attack early warning radar station based in Hancavičy, Brest region, and a submarine communications center in Vilejka, Minsk region. Russia uses the facilities free of charge.

Both protocols were signed in Moscow on October 20, 2021.

The agreements were concluded in January 1995 and expired in May 2021, but are still being implemented by both parties.

The Volha radar in Hancavičy is designed for automatic detection and tracking of ballistic missiles and space objects.

The Russian Navy uses the Vilejka facility to control naval strategic nuclear forces and general purpose forces. It transmits signals to submarines and ships.