US think tank: Russia may be preparing new attack from Belarus for late 2023
January 20, BPN. Continued meetings of senior Russian and Belarusian officials indicate that Russia might be planning a new attack on Ukraine from Belarus, “although not necessarily, and also not in the coming weeks,” says a recent analysis by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Defense Ministers Viktar Chrenin and Sergei Shoigu discussed military cooperation in a phone call on January 19. On the same day, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov presented to Alaksandr Łukašenka a so-called “shared vision” for Russia’s war in Ukraine and talked to his Belarusian counterpart Siarhiej Alejnik about winning the “Western hybrid war,” the analysts noted.
At the same time, the ISW said that a new Russian attack from Belarus in early 2023 seems less likely as “Russian forces currently deployed in Belarus are undergoing training rotations and redeploying to fight in eastern Ukraine.”
A Russian attack from Belarus is “unlikely but more plausible” in late 2023, especially considering recent Ukrainian intelligence reports on major joint Russia-Belarus military drills Zapad 2023 and Union Shield 2023 scheduled for September 2023.
In February 2022, Russia started a full-scale war against Ukraine. Łukašenka admitted that Belarus participated in Russia’s war on Ukraine, but said it was “not killing anyone.”
Authorities in Minsk denied Belarusian troops’ involvement in combat operations on the Russian side. However, Belarus allowed Russian troops and weapons to move freely through the country, use its airspace, refuel and store military equipment and attack Ukraine from its territory.
- Politics, SocietyMahiloŭ State University will train “military-patriotic” PE teachersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja, Zourabichvili discuss cooperation, Russian meddlingThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsŁukašenka invites Serbian president to BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja meets Trump's Ukraine-Russia envoyThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityZelensky: Putin views Belarus as Russian provinceThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- SecurityUkrainian emergency workers tackle drone strike aftermath at Chernobyl nuclear plantThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja links prisoners’ release to pressure on regimeThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsReprisals: former customs officer’s high treason charge trial beginsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsAt least 33 sent for forced treatment on political grounds since 2020The material is available only to POZIRK+
- SecurityHomiel region checks radiation after Zelensky reports Chernobyl strikeThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyRunaway athlete’s ex-husband back in Minsk, ready to cooperate with investigatorsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsImprisoned activist's book declared extremistThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyCentral bank’s net foreign-currency assets up 0.7 percent in JanuaryThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyMAZ truck sales in Russia drop 32 percent y/yThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsMinsk’s rights violations amount to crimes against humanity – UN expertsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelGee sales in Russia falling since NovemberThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsGovernment brands 18 people as extremistsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyCichanoŭskaja condemns Russia’s drone attack on Chernobyl reactor shieldThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- Politics
- Politics, SocietyPro-government sociologists: more than 70 percent trust law enforcersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Elections, PoliticsEcuador's president congratulates Łukašenka on seventh term in officeThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsReprisals: Belarusians’ online activities in focusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja meets with US diplomat who took prisoners out of BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelarus to build 4.5 million sq. m of housing this year, more than in 2024The material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyMore than 27,000 genetic passports issued in Belarus – scientistThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SecurityBelarusian drill draws on the experience of war in UkraineThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SecurityCIS draft anti-terrorist program sent for revisionThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SportInvestigators launch probe against dissident athlete's ex-husbandThe material is available only to POZIRK+