Belarus was 'combat' ready during rebellion, president says
The military in Belarus was ordered to "full combat readiness" during the Wagner Group's rebellion in neighboring Russia, President Alexander Lukashenko said.
Lukashenko, a longtime ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was said to have helped broker a deal to halt the choatic rebellion by Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin.
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"I will not hide, it was painful to watch the events that took place in the south of Russia," Lukashenko said Tuesday during brief remarks before a military presentation. "Not only me. Many of our citizens took them to heart. Because the fatherland is one."
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The fatherland comment appeared to allude to Lukashenko's longstanding belief that Russia and Belarus share a special bond.
He added, "I gave all orders to bring the army to full combat readiness."
-ABC News' Victoria Beaule