Belarus is preparing for a large-scale combat readiness check of its armed forces, which, according to Alexander Lukashenko, may involve all army units and include measures "up to mobilization." This is reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing a RIA Novosti publication. The statement came against the backdrop of ongoing regional tensions and new signals of a possible military scenario, which, in the words of the Belarusian leader, the country is forced to prepare for.

"Shake Up" the Entire Army

Lukashenko explained the decision on a comprehensive check by the need to "shake up" the armed forces. "I have already said it in plain terms: the army needs to be shaken up, the time has come. The whole army. We will check everyone. Up to mobilization," he stated. Thus, this is not a local inspection of a single unit, but a check covering the entire army structure. At the same time, as the media note, the Belarusian leader did not specify the timing of the measures or other details of the upcoming check.

Mobilization as the Extreme Scenario

The phrase "up to mobilization" means that, within the framework of the combat readiness check, mobilization measures may be carried out — that is, the check would cover not only the army itself but also the mechanisms that allow its ranks to be expanded. This significantly raises the scale and political sensitivity of the event: even the preparation for mobilization, rather than its actual implementation, becomes a signal of the system's readiness to switch to a military mode. The specific parameters — numbers, deadlines, the list of structures involved — have not been disclosed publicly.

Preparation for a Military Scenario

Lukashenko also stated that the country is preparing for a possible military scenario, although, in his words, the goal of such preparation is to prevent war. Previously, he emphasized that Belarus does not intend to be the first to start military actions against neighboring states: according to him, Minsk understands the possible consequences of such a step and sees no point in starting a conflict that the country would not be able to win. Thus, the official rhetoric combines a demonstration of combat readiness with an assertion of the defensive nature of its intentions.

Context: The August 26 Order and the CIA Director's Visit

Recall that on August 26, Alexander Lukashenko ordered a combat readiness check of the Belarusian army. As Alexander Volkovich, Secretary of the Security Council of Belarus, reported, one of the reasons cited in Minsk for this decision was the visit of the U.S. CIA Director John Ratcliffe to Moscow. As part of the check, one of the Belarusian brigades was to leave its permanent location and carry out the tasks assigned to it. The current statements about "shaking up" the entire army and a possible mobilization logically continue this line and expand its scale.

Contradictory Data

There are several inconsistencies in the public presentation of the event that are important to take into account. First, the official classification of the event is a "combat readiness check," while some Ukrainian media and experts (including in the context of the Security Council's reaction) describe the same events as "new maneuvers," implying more active field actions rather than mere oversight. Second, the phrase "up to mobilization" leaves uncertainty: it is unclear whether mobilization is already a planned element of the check or merely a hypothetical upper limit. Third, Lukashenko did not name specific deadlines or details, so the actual scope and timeline of the measures are not confirmed by independent data at this time. Both versions — a "routine check" and "preparation for mobilization measures" — coexist in the official rhetoric without a final clarification.