Służby specjalne

In November 2020, the Belarusian Interior Ministry and the Russian Rosgvardiya signed in Moscow a „cooperation agreement”. The document postulated joint exercises of officers, cooperation as regards public order, protection of objects of critical infrastructure or of strategic importance. It tackled also the cooperation in the field of „fight against terrorism and extremism”. The agreement consolidated the cooperation between two states and it also ensured legal framework for Russia to support structures of Belarusian OMON used to suppress street protests and potential riots. This agreement could be launched for example in the event of a revolt or riots. It is on the basis of this document that the Belarusian regime may ask Russia for help with ensuring „internal order”.

Minsk and Moscow signed subsequent agreements in 2021. In March, talks were held between Russian and Belarusian special services that focused on the cooperation in the format of the Union State. Finally, the agreement was signed in September in Sochi. During the talks held for several months, some experience concerning borders’ protection was shared and means of countering threats caused by „external factors” were discussed. Most of joint talks and messages directed at public opinion included anti-West narratives. New documents were presented as a response to the alleged aggression of the West.

In June 2021, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service and the Belarusian State Security Committee signed an agreement on increasing cooperation as far as fight with „destructive activity of the West” and „aggressive politics of the US and western countries” are concerned. Another agreement was signed in September in Sochi during the College of the Union State Border Committee. During the signing ceremony the common foreign policy was discussed, including the protection of borders and border areas of the Union State, as well as cooperation of Russian and Belarusian border services. Also an agreement was signed aiming at „improving joint reactions against violation of external borders of the Union State”.

The last of numerous agreements was signed on 4 November in Moscow. Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko discussed and accepted the agenda of deepening Belarusian-Russian integration within the framework of the Union State for the years 2021-2023. Also the new version of the military doctrine was approved, which includes a strategy that is „agreed and adapted to the current security situation”. Again, the document was prepared on the basis of the main thesis concerning neutralization of „dangers connected to the hostile activity of the West”.

Over the past year, Russia and Belarus have signed agreements that create framework for cooperation of security and order services of both states and for joint border protection. As a result of these agreements, a conflict at the Union State’s border may be solved together by Russian and Belarusian services, which means that the border crisis deliberately created by the Lukashenko’s regime must be analysed from the perspective of joint actions of Russian and Belarusian services against Poland.

Spokesman for the Minister-Coordinator of Special Services