(RoyalPatriot.com )- Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko prompted concern that the country is being dragged into the war with Ukraine, according to Newsweek.
British former military officer Frank Ledwidge doubts that Putin is looking for Belarus to be directly involved in the war, as the country’s military is more limited than Russia’s.
“Belarus has very limited regular forces,” he said, adding that over the last three months Russian casualties have likely exceeded the strength of the Belarusian army.
Marina Miron, from the Defence Studies Department of King’s College London, pointed out that Belarus is a small country with a population of 9.44 million and a troop size of 45,000. Its reserve component is made up of 290,000 troops.
“However, it should be borne in mind that Belarus does not have any modern military equipment, as it has old Soviet prototypes,” she said, suggesting that it is not a great military power.
Russia’s partial mobilization of troops amounted to around 300,000 service members, six times the number of Belarus’ troop size.
Ledwidge pointed out that Russia might be after the country’s material reserves and Air Force. Its tanks and artillery pieces, although outdated, could be leased to Russia and provide some utility. Belarus’ Air Force currently has two squadrons of B-29s and attack aircraft.
Earlier this month, Belarus announced plans to move troops and military equipment within the country, sparking global fears of the country’s involvement in the war against Ukraine, according to The Daily Caller.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s made a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin back in October to deploy troops as part of a joint regional force. Just before Russia launched its “special military campaign,” the two countries were reportedly conducting military drills, and Lukashenko allegedly allowed Putin to use Belarus as a staging ground for the invasion.
