"Belarus Ready to Join The Russia - Ukraine War?" Topic

"Fears that Belarus could soon be forced to join the Ukraine war are growing after military vehicles were seen with 'combat symbols' painted on them.

State TV footage of armoured vehicles taking part in snap 'combat readiness' drills near Ukraine's borders showed they have red squares painted on them, which would allow drivers to recognise each-other during actual combat.

Vladimir Putin also ordered military drills near Ukraine's borders with 'Z' markings appearing on Russian tanks just before he ordered a full-scale invasion in February…"

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Armand

They really won't make any real difference. Just more bodies to add to the piles. Madness, it's almost medieval.

@Legion 4,

I agree. The Belarus army is too small to be consequential and very possibly is not reliable. All it would accomplish would be to stretch the frontlines which aids maneuver warfare more than positional and attritional warfare. So far it seems the Ukrainians excel at the former, while the Russians prefer the latter. That does not mean the Ukrainians can do positional / attritional well; it's just that their advantage over the Russians is greater with maneuver.

AT least that's my take of the last 10 months of fighting.

If Belarus invades it just means more will die for an aimless war. The only hope is the Russian and Belorussian people take a stand against ridiculous leadership.

Eh, from the sources I follow on social media, the red (previously orange) geometric symbols for recognition have been seen on Belarussian vehicles for a few months now.

There seems to be a weekly warning that the Belarus invasion of Ukraine is imminent. Thus far it hasn't happened. From what I understand the Ukrainians rotate units back to that area, and I imagine they are fresh enough to smash the fragile Belarussian military.

Them being a possible threat is where they provide the most value. If they did invade, how many would fight and how many would turn on their government? A defeat or a revolt would most likely cause the fall of Lukashenko, what kind of impact would that have on Putin and his special military operation? At the least, it would deny him of training facilities and supplies.

Well, since the Belarusian force that moved to the border is already back in Brest, I'm going with, "No."

"He had ten thousand men;
He marched them up to the top of the hill,
And he marched them down again."

I also think the Ukrainians are very aware of what is going. Given the reports of unreliability in the Belarussian army I'd be surprised if Ukrainian intelligence doesn't have human intelligence sources keeping them in the loop (along with the all the Western information they get).

Rubbish! Lukashenko is not about to risk a mutiny and the wrath of his people by joining the shambles of the Russian operations in Ukraine.

There has already for while been a small brigade of Belarusians fighting in Ukraine – on the Ukrainian side!

The Russian invasion of Ukraine is very unpopular amongst the Belarusian population, and painting a bunch of red squares (missing a hammer and sickle) on vehicles will not improve the situation.

Maybe a flimsy misdirect for a Russian offensive in the South?

They've been doing something or other pretty much every month since the Russian army scuttled back across the border.

Perhaps the danger is that Ukraine gets complacent but I think the build up of a substantial enough force to make an attempt at a 'real diversion' is hardly likely to be missed.

I think Lukashenko's survival instincts are stronger than his attachment to Putin. The Belarussian army is going nowhere unless Lukashenko has an accident and is replaced with someone more pliable….

I thought that I had read somewhere that Lukashenko has transferred some if not most, of his front-line tanks to his good friend Putin. If my age addled memory is correct, it is hard to be a serious threat without armor. Even if I am wrong, I agree that Lukashenko has to know that his rule would likely come to an inglorious end if he enters the war. Given Poland's advances in building its forces, Belarus could be the first step in reestablishing the Polish Commonwealth? s/

I read a similar story but that suggested the donated vehicles came from stocks rather then from units. Not that Belorussia has very deep stocks and many of it units appear to be only at half-strength normally so the line may be blurry.

shadoe01 +1

Titchmonster +1

Belarusians fighting in Ukraine – on the Ukrainian side!

Good to know !

of his front-line tanks to his good friend Putin.

Yep as we know if so, based on the recent events. Those AFVs, etc. will be KO'd, broken down, abandoned, etc.

I think they have opened their stocks of artillery ammo to the Russians too, maybe back in late summer/early fall. Can't go to war without ammo, unless rocks and sticks are on the books.

Even with modern weapons, the Russians have not performed very well. But we have discussed this before. Regardless they will keep firing until there many more are dead. And run out if ammo & bodies. It's on Putin …

Agree…

Armand

"Capable of carrying special weapons:" Belarus president hints at new aircraft armaments being tested in Russia

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Armand

Belarus Says Russia-Deployed Iskander Missile Systems Are Now Ready For Use

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Armand