Belarus–Russia military exercises may mask preparations for new invasion — Syrskyi
The large-scale Belarus Zapad (West)-2025 exercises, set to take place this fall jointly with Russia, could be a cover for a new offensive preparations, AFU Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said in an interview with LB.ua on April 9.
"All military exercises have a purpose," he explained.
"And one of those purposes is the covert formation of strike groupings. The appearance of exercises is the most acceptable way to redeploy, transfer, and concentrate troops in a certain direction."
Syrskyi recalled that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 began with the creation of a troop grouping in Belarus under the guise of exercises.
“We all hoped those exercises will end and Russian troops will return to their territory. But when it was decided to prolong those drills, it became clear to me what was really going on,” the top commander said.
When asked whether he expects a repeat of the scenario, Syrskyi noted: “It’s not that I expect it. But it’s a factor we must absolutely take into account.”
On March 5, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin will do everything possible to draw Belarus into the war against Ukraine.
"Russia plans to send its troops to Belarus in the summer of 2025 under the pretext of 'exercises', which could be aimed at launching attacks not only against Ukraine but possibly against NATO countries as well," Zelenskyy said at the Munich Security Conference.
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