Belarus military parade: Tanks roll through Minsk on independence day
Columns of tanks, armored vehicles, and rocket launchers drove through Minsk, escorted by hundreds of marching soldiers. Today, the regime celebrates Independence Day. "Thousands of Belarusians are calling recruitment and conscription offices, asking for weapons to protect the border," stated Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko.
9:36 AM EDT, July 3, 2024
The Belarusian regime is celebrating Belarus Independence Day. Until 1996, this holiday was observed on July 27 to commemorate the Supreme Council's declaration of sovereignty in 1990. However, under Alexander Lukashenko's initiative, Independence Day celebrations have been held on July 3, marking the anniversary of the Red Army's occupation of Minsk.
Belarusian show of force
Thousands of soldiers marched through the streets of Minsk as the crowd admired the military equipment. Earlier, military planes flew over the city, showcasing Belarus's strength. Regime media also displayed radiation warning signs on several rocket launchers, purportedly as evidence of Belarus possessing Russian nuclear warheads.
Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko appeared at the celebrations, reiterating that "thousands of Belarusians are calling registration and conscription offices, asking for weapons to protect the border."
"No need! Work calmly"
"We talk a lot about weapons and ammunition, but the most important thing is our people," Lukashenko said. "Just yesterday, as they sensed the worsening situation on our southern borders, thousands of calls were made to the military registration and recruitment offices. They said, 'Take us into the army, give us weapons, we will defend our homeland.' No need! Work calmly," he urged while also warning Belarusians of the perceived threat from the West.
Today's Independence Day celebrations are not recognized by the opposition and free Belarus, who celebrate Independence Day on March 25. This so-called Freedom Day commemorates the establishment of the independent Belarusian state after the signing of the Brest-Litovsk Treaty on March 3, 1918. On March 25, 1918, the Belarusian People's Republic was officially declared independent. Lukashenko does not acknowledge these celebrations.
Among congratulations: Letters from Russia, Korea, and the Vatican
According to the propaganda agency BelTa, leaders from Russia, China, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Serbia, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, India, Vietnam, Pakistan, Thailand, Turkey, and North Korea sent congratulations to the Belarusian leader and nation. Pope Francis, the Patriarch of Moscow, and all Rus' Kirill also sent their congratulations.
