Brest region's chief enlistment officer denies rumors about mobilization in Belarus

MINSK. March 2 (Interfax) - No mobilization is planned in Belarus, the Brest region's chief enlistment officer Oleg Konovalov said.

"I want to reassure everyone: no mobilization is planned in our state. And all these summons that are being given now are planned events. We conduct various trainings, for equipment maintenance, retraining for new military specializations, reservists' trainings, every year," Konovalov was quoted as saying by the BelTA state-run news agency on Wednesday.

"Such trainings involve some 1,500 people - some 1,300 soldiers and sergeants and up to 200 officers - annually. The same thing is happening this year. Some 50 people have been called up for training, they have undergone retraining. It is planned to call up some 50-70 people in March. It's common practice, a routine event. No mobilization events are planned, and therefore absolutely no one should be worried here," Konovalov said.

"There are some measures in the Armed Forces that are taken during preparations for military action. No such measures are being taken today. In particular, no preparations are being made. Military units are not being put on high alert, practically all are at their permanent bases, except for some units that are assisting the border guard service," the Brest region's chief enlistment officer said.

All conscripts can call their parents, he said.

"All troops are at their bases, there is absolutely no need to worry that our people are somewhere outside the country. And the president has repeatedly confirmed, including in yesterday's meeting, that none of our soldiers will ever go outside the territory of the state," Konovalov said.