MINSK, 22 February (BelTA) – The Armed Forces of Belarus make a big contribution to peace, stability and security in the country, Belarus’ Defense Minister Andrei Ravkov told the media ahead of a function on 22 February to mark the Fatherland Defenders and Armed Forces Day, BelTA has learned.
“The Fatherland Defenders and Armed Forces Day is a popular holiday in our country. People in uniform are not the only defenders in the country. These are engineers, doctors, teachers who raise patriots. We have peace and concord in Belarus today. An important role belongs to the Armed Forces as a part of the military organization of the state,” Andrei Ravkov said.
The defense minister noted that the Armed Forces do not stand still. “We are carrying out technical modernization of weapons and military hardware, conducting rearmament. We are actively engaged in operational combat training, which produces certain results. We annually conduct snap inspections of the Armed Forces. One of them is underway right now. We have called up thousands of military personnel from the reserve. They, like thousands of officers, soldiers and sergeants, will mark this holiday in the field, performing training and combat tasks,” he said.
Andrei Ravkov extended Fatherland Defenders Day greetings and wished veterans, internationalist soldiers and the Armed Forces peaceful skies, strong health and every success for the benefit of the country.