Moscow: President Putin’s closest ally, Belarus, has commenced the transfer of military equipment from its active combat units to Russia following an urgent request from Moscow.
Challenges in Sustaining Supplies
This action, as reported by Tech, highlights the severe equipment shortages faced by the Russian military, particularly in areas like Kursk, where ongoing conflicts have significantly depleted Moscow’s resources.
The challenge of maintaining sufficient supplies has become increasingly evident. Recent intelligence from European sources indicates that Russia might soon receive hundreds of ballistic missiles from Iran and has already sourced ammunition from North Korea.
Despite these measures, Belarus’s support represents a crucial boost for Russia, which has been grappling with equipment shortages since the onset of the conflict in Ukraine.
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Depleted Military Reserves
Since 2022, Belarus has been a steadfast ally of Russia, providing ammunition and military equipment from its reserves. However, the current transfer involves active-duty equipment, suggesting that Belarus may be depleting its military stockpiles.
Analysts warn that this move could undermine Belarus’s operational capabilities, given the nation’s reliance on Soviet-era and Russian-made equipment, as it does not produce its own armored vehicles.
While the Belarusian government has not revealed specific details about the quantity or type of equipment being transferred, the limited arsenal of Belarus implies that tanks like the T-72 and BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles are likely being sent.
Although these Soviet-era machines may be outdated by modern standards, they remain valuable in the ongoing conflict due to their durability and firepower.
