Belarus Orders Surprise Military Readiness Check as CIA Chief Visits Moscow
Belarus has ordered a surprise military readiness check as CIA Director John Ratcliffe visits Moscow for unannounced intelligence contacts. The exercise will deploy a brigade from its permanent base and test combat capabilities, including strikes against a potential enemy, amid growing concerns over Russia’s military plans and Belarus’ role in the war.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has mandated a surprise readiness assessment for the nation's military forces while CIA Director John Ratcliffe is secretly in Moscow. A Belarusian brigade will depart its regular location and undertake undisclosed duties as part of the inspection, stated Alexander Volfovich, head of Belarus' Security Council on August 26.
Volfovich declined to disclose the tasks, emphasizing they would rely on the decisions of Belarus' military leadership and General Staff. The focus will be on potential enemy strikes, including lessons from conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, according to Volfovich. The objective is to evaluate whether Belarusian military units can operate in combat under modern battlefield conditions.
The announcement follows Ratcliffe's unannounced visit to Moscow the previous day, with the Kremlin stating he did not meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin but engaged in "inter-service intelligence contacts." According to the Wall Street Journal, Ratcliffe's visit might be connected to US intelligence on Putin's potential actions.
Russian forces recently carried out mobilization-readiness drills in the Kaliningrad region and other locations, testing new recruit reception, equipping, and feeding capabilities. Intelligence suggests Putin might test NATO's resolve, the WSJ reported. Former US Deputy Director of National Intelligence Beth Sanner told the newspaper that the visit's purpose could be to warn: "We know your plans, and you wouldn't want to act on them."
Belarus has been bolstering its military presence near Ukraine, with Belarusian Special Operations Forces Commander Alexander Ilyukevich recently announcing the formation of a new air-assault brigade near the Ukrainian border in the Gomel region. The Wall Street Journal previously reported Putin had urged Lukashenko to initiate a new front against Ukraine and consider using Belarusian territory for operations against NATO states, including drone attacks.
French President Emmanuel Macron has cautioned Lukashenko against further involvement in Russia's Ukraine war, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticized Belarus' military preparations along the Ukrainian border, warning they could be used for aggression.
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