United Transitional Cabinet Representative for Defense and National Security Vadzim Kabanchuk has spoken about a Belarusian drone unit that is currently being formed. In an interview with Belsat, he said that details about the timeframe for forming the unit and its size were not being disclosed for security reasons.
“Such a unit is indeed being created now. I cannot talk about either the timeframe or the scale of this unit for security reasons. But I can explain a little why we have focused specifically on UAVs. It is not because they are ‘fashionable’ now or more or less safe compared with other branches of the armed forces, but because UAVs provide a means of exerting an operational impact, even at the strategic level.
If, for example, I compare a light infantry company with a UAV company, a UAV company equipped with Middle Strike systems can, for example, cut off logistical routes, destroy very significant enemy forces, air defense systems and headquarters at distances of tens or perhaps even hundreds of kilometers, as well as enemy logistics and personnel,” he said.
“If we consider the possibility that Belarus will nevertheless be fully drawn into a military conflict, we can safely assume that the primary task of Aliaksandr Lukashenka’s authorities on the territory of our country will be to support the Russian force grouping.
A certain number of railway lines and roads enter Belarus. And it is our UAV unit that can take on the task of controlling this logistics. In addition, as our forces are scaled up, we will gain other capabilities,” the United Transitional Cabinet representative added.
Kabanchuk stressed that the forces being created are focused exclusively on confronting Russia and are only one element of a broader effort.
“It is important to emphasize: we are preparing and will fight only against the Russian Federation. If the territory of Belarus is already drawn into the conflict, if it is dragged into it, then our capabilities will be very much needed in that situation. UAVs are only one part of the overall puzzle,” he said.
