The representative for defense and national security of the United Transitional Cabinet, Vadim Kabanchuk, denied statements by the KGB about a so-called “liberation army” allegedly being prepared in the European Union to seize power in Belarus by force.
“We see that the Lukashenko regime understands that the Belarusian diaspora in Europe has significant potential. The boomerang effect is now taking place, where hundreds of thousands of people outside the country are looking not only for ways to build their lives in exile but also for how to organize public and political life. The situation is developing in such a way that official Minsk is effectively following the escalation policy of the Russian Federation. Sooner or later, the Belarusian diaspora will give an adequate response to this scenario,” he said.
“This is exactly what they fear, which is why they are conducting information operations to discredit the Belarusian democratic forces, passing off their fantasies as reality and playing on Europe’s most sensitive issue — security. This is a clear indicator. The dictatorial regime of Lukashenko fears the potential of the Belarusian democratic forces,” he added.
Earlier this week, the first deputy chairman of the KGB, Sergei Terebov, claimed that a “liberation army” was allegedly being prepared in the European Union to seize power in Belarus by force.
“A significant threat to the country’s national security is posed by the enemy’s preparation of a force component to seize power, including through the creation of a so-called Belarusian Liberation Army on the territory of the European Union. According to the plans of the regime’s opponents, it is to be formed according to NATO standards and consist of three brigades with a total strength of 9,000 to 15,000 personnel,” he said.
The KGB claims that the basis of this “army” would include “illegal armed formations” of Belarusians in Poland, Ukraine, and Lithuania, allegedly undergoing combat training under the guise of sporting events. According to Terebov, counterintelligence oversight and management of these groups are allegedly carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), while their practical operations are coordinated by the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry.
The KGB had previously alleged that Belarusians abroad were being trained to carry out terrorist attacks in Belarus. In December 2023, the KGB chief Ivan Tertel claimed that seven banner detachments were operating in Poland for this purpose.