Hybrid warfare threat drives changes in defense legislation - expert

On June 21, Belarus MPs passed amendments to the Law on Defense, approving among other things a new type of military service – mobilization service (or a temporary draft for training).

Military expert Aliaksandr Alesin, approached by Euroraio for a comment, says the new measure is related to the changes in Belarus' military doctrine in respond to the emergence of hybrid warfare.

Alesin: “Military threats have changed. We used to think that there should always be a period of preparation before a war. Nobody declares war during hybrid warfare. Such warfare can start without any casus belli like it happened in Ukraine.”

The amendments will expand the powers of the Ministry of Defence to mobilize citizens without declaring a martial law.