Belarus president orders army to 'be ready for combat'

In an interview with Belta news agency, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said last week's attempted mutiny by the Wagner mercenary group threatened Belarus' security and ordered the army to prepare for "full combat readiness" .

"I have ordered the Belarusian army to be put on full combat readiness," President Alexander Likashenko said on June 27.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. (Photo: Reuters)

Mr Likashenko added that Belarus's priority security task is to prevent further escalation of tensions.

“The priority of security officials, as well as the priority of soldiers, is to take the necessary measures to prevent the situation from escalating. Tension has reached its limit,” Mr. Lukashenko said.

Earlier, Belta reported that the opposition in Belarus had prepared to stage an armed coup amid the uprising of the Russian private military company Wagner, but the plan was thwarted. Belarusian President Lukashenko said his opponents became “active” when Wagner launched a mutiny in the neighboring country.

Wagner launched a major mutiny in Russia overnight, seizing control of many military and administrative sites in the city of Rostov-on-Don, the capital of Rostov Oblast, on the morning of June 24, taking control of the headquarters of Russia's Southern Military District.

Wagner then entered the cities of Voronezh and Lipetsk, prompting Russia to launch an anti-terrorist operation there to deal with it. The head of the Wagner mercenary group - Yevgeny Prigozhin, said that Wagner forces were at one point about 200 km from the Russian capital. However, the Wagner leader later confirmed that he had canceled the order to advance on Moscow.

The Belarusian President's Office said that Alexander Lukashenko had successfully negotiated with tycoon Prigozhin.

The Kremlin later revealed details of the agreement with Wagner. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wagner soldiers would not be held accountable for their efforts on the front lines of the Ukrainian conflict. President Vladimir Putin “has always respected their achievements,” Peskov explained.

Speaking on Russian television on June 26, President Vladimir Putin said soldiers from the private military company Wagner could sign contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense or other organizations.

Kong Anh (Source: Sputnik)

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