Belarus Proposes Introducing Martial Law Amid Russia’s War Against Ukraine

Belarus is considering amendments to its legislation on martial law that would allow the introduction of this legal regime in response to Russia’s war against Ukraine.

The Belarusian Ministry of Defense prepared the draft legislation.

It has already been submitted to the lower house of parliament for review.

The proposed law, titled “On Amendments to Laws Concerning the Ensuring of Military Security and Defense,” seeks to clarify and specify the roles and responsibilities of the armed forces, as well as the functions of the General Staff in maintaining military security and the armed defense of the Republic of Belarus.

Additionally, the draft aligns the list of military threats that justify the imposition of martial law in Belarus with the country’s military doctrine.

The grounds mentioned include acts of armed aggression by any state (or coalition of states) against the Union State, which serve as a basis for the introduction of martial law within the country.

It is important to note that the treaty establishing the Union State between Russia and Belarus was signed back in 1999. This treaty envisions the gradual integration of the two countries across various areas.

Therefore, based on the published text of the draft law, it can be asserted that it provides for the possibility of introducing martial law in Belarus even in the event of strikes by the Ukrainian Defense Forces on military targets within Russian territory, Russia being the “union state” partner of Belarus.

Since the full-scale Russian invasion, strikes by the Ukrainian Defense Forces on the aggressor’s territory have become regular. These operations involve the use of domestic types of drones, aerial bombs, missiles, and artillery.

Additionally, Ukrainian defenders conduct ground operations in the border regions of Russia.

In June, Belarus conducted mobilization exercises in the Brest region, which borders Ukraine and Poland.

And in May, assemblies of reservists from the Belarusian Territorial Forces were held in the same region.