Lukashenko vows to shake up Belarus army, check mobilization readiness

September 12, 2026 at 07:07 AM1 min

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Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said on September 11 that army inspections will continue and will cover mobilization readiness. Speaking at the Obuz-Lesnovsky training ground in Brest region, he said all armed forces will be checked. His remarks follow Ukrainian claims that Belarus was preparing for war.

Key Facts

Lukashenko said inspections have already been completed in tank and motorized rifle units and are now underway in an artillery brigade.
He stated that his 22-year-old son Nikolai is serving as a lieutenant in the army's "most difficult unit".
In spring 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Belarus had begun building roads and equipping artillery positions near the Ukrainian border.
In early summer, Zelensky said Lukashenko had one week to remove drone relay stations from two regions bordering Ukraine.

Army Inspections

Lukashenko announced that inspections will extend to mobilization readiness, saying "the army needs to be shaken up." He said checks have already been completed in tank and motorized rifle units and are now underway in an artillery brigade. The Belarusian leader stressed that all armed forces will be checked and that training must reflect lessons from Russia's war in Ukraine.

Son's Military Service

Lukashenko said his youngest son Nikolai, 22, is serving as a lieutenant in the army's "most difficult unit". He added that Nikolai continues to study biotechnology in his free time.

Ukrainian Warnings

In spring 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Belarus had begun building roads and equipping artillery positions near the border. Zelensky linked Belarus's actions to a regrouping of Russian troops aimed at replenishing personnel shortages. In early summer, Zelensky said Lukashenko had one week to remove drone relay stations from two regions bordering Ukraine, and later reported that the relays had stopped working.