Russia cannot afford to lose its "safe haven" - expert on Belarus' role in war

The analyst of the Russia and Belarus Studies Program of the Foreign Policy Council “Ukrainian Prism” said this in an interview with Espreso TV. 

"Belarus serves as a material and technical base, and there have been no strikes against it by Ukraine. Consequently, weapons are manufactured there and then delivered to Russia. 

In addition, after Ukraine started attacking Russian oil refineries, Russians increased imports of petroleum products from Belarus. This is also a factor signaling that Russia cannot afford to lose this "safe haven", where petroleum products, weapons, certain parts, and components are manufactured without serious risk of destruction or damage," he noted.

Belarus has changed its role in the war. Initially, it served as a springboard for Russian operations, but now it has transformed into a material and technical base, according to an analyst.

"Belarusian military-industrial complex enterprises are actively cooperating with Russia, fulfilling orders for its needs. There is active collaboration between the military-industrial complexes of both countries. At the same time, Belarus is using this situation to its own advantage. In particular, there is information that Belarusian arms manufacturers have billed significant sums to Russians for their services.

This pertains to the production of specific components for the Grad multiple rocket launcher system (BM-21). On one hand, Belarus continues active military cooperation with Russia; on the other hand, it seeks to profit from this, receiving additional benefits," summarized Rad.

• Ukraine's State Border Guard Service spokesman Andriy Demchenko says that the sudden inspection of troop readiness announced in Belarus doesn't pose a threat to Ukraine.