ベラルーシ軍特殊部隊は「準備万端」 訓練を報道公開

【ブレストＡＦＰ＝時事】欧州連合（ＥＵ）加盟国であるポーランド国境からわずか４キロ、ウクライナ国境から５０キロの位置にあるベラルーシ・ブレストの郊外にある軍基地では、特殊部隊が森林地帯での戦闘訓練を行い、装置を使って空挺（くうてい）部隊が航空機から降下する模擬訓練を行っていた。（写真は模擬訓練に臨む兵士）
　ベラルーシのアレクサンドル・ルカシェンコ大統領は、ロシアのウクライナ侵攻を支持。侵攻開始時には、ベラルーシ領からロシア軍が出撃するのを容認した。以来、ベラルーシ軍の直接参戦への懸念が高まっている。
　基地では、第３８独立親衛空襲旅団の訓練に関するプレスツアーが厳格な管理下で行われた。
　ベラルーシにはロシア軍部隊が駐屯しているが、兵員数は公表されていない。だが、ルカシェンコ氏は自軍をウクライナに派兵しないと確約している。ベラルーシ軍の兵力は６万～７万人と推定されている。
　ブレスト郊外の基地では、軍高官は慎重な物言いに終始し、ウクライナ侵攻については言及を避けた。
　ワディム・ルカシェビッチ特殊部隊副司令官は「情勢は安定しているが、情勢の急変に対応できるよう態勢を整えている」と述べた。
　訓練場では、パラシュートで降り立つ際に足を曲げて着地する練習や、森林戦闘訓練が行われていた。
　軍高官は、ベラルーシ政府は「平和を愛している」として、当局が守りたいのは「安定」だと強調した。
　別の高官も「われわれは誰も攻撃しない」とした一方で、「もし誰かが攻撃してきたならば」対応可能との見解を示した。【翻訳編集ＡＦＰＢＢＮｅｗｓ】
〔ＡＦＰ＝時事〕（2023/02/20-12:57）

In reclusive Belarus, just a few kilometres from the EU frontier, special forces in the army of Kremlin ally Alexander Lukashenko are simulating forest combat while paratroopers nearby practise jumping from aircraft.
The strongman has ruled his ex-Soviet country with an iron fist for nearly three decades and for years flirted with the West before backing Russia's intervention in Ukraine last year.
He allowed the Kremlin to use his country as a launching pad for its military operation against Kyiv last February and fears have been building since that his troops could also intervene.
We are ready to fulfil any tasks, including the most difficult ones if we have to, Vadim Lukashevich, deputy commander of the Special Operations Forces of Belarus, told AFP.
The troops outside the city of Brest were running the drills as part of a tightly controlled press tour of the 38th Separate Guards Air Assault Brigade.
And their training ground lay just four kilometres (two miles) from EU and NATO member Poland and 50 kilometres from Ukraine.
A portrait of Lukashenko -- in power since 1994 and wearing a military uniform -- hung on a banner as soldiers trained behind it.
There is no more important task today than to defend our achievements, our people and our land, was the strongman's quote printed next to his image.
He is hosting an undeclared number of Russian troops but Lukashenko has promised not to send his forces -- estimated at between 60,000 and 70,000 -- over the southern border to Ukraine.
- 'We will defend our Belarus' -
He has also dismissed speculation that Russia and Belarus could more deeply integrate and held back on recognising Russia's annexation of several territories in Ukraine.
But he has nonetheless repeatedly said that Minsk should be ready for any turn of events.
In Brest, Belarusian military officials toed a careful line, unwilling to comment on the Ukraine conflict.
The situation is stable, Lukashevich said.
But we are getting ready because we have to be ready to fulfil our tasks in any sharply changing conditions.
Some of the officials said their army has benefited from the Russian troop presence, getting better training.
During the carefully choreographed tour, AFP was shown the barracks where the soldiers live.
The green-and-red Belarusian flag adorned the walls, as well as patriotic slogans and portraits of Lukashenko and other generals.
Between a room of rows of metal beds was a classroom that officials said was used for various activities, including ideological lessons.
Belarus, which retains much of its Soviet legacy and institutions, has been closed to foreign media, particularly in the wake of historic anti-government demonstrations in 2020.
On the would-be battlefield, soldiers practised landing on knee-bent legs from a parachute. They also took part in simulated fighting in a forested environment.
The army officials showcased weapons made inside the authoritarian country, as well as Russian and modernised Soviet-era equipment.
They stressed that Minsk is peace-loving and were keen to emphasise the stability that they said authorities ensure.
Belarusians are peaceful people. But if we have to we will defend our Belarus, Lukashevich said.
We will not give up our Beloved, he added, using a phrase appropriated by the government after the protests.
We did not attack anyone, another official said. But if anyone attacks us, then...