Coming June 6 — the date when Minsk and Moscow should finally determine the extension of another 25-year term of the agreement of 1995 on the lease of the territories in which the Russian military facilities. We are talking about the radar station (radar) long-range detection of “Volga” and the communications of the Navy (Navy) of the Russian Federation “Vileika”.
The authors of several publications in Belarusian and Russian media, this might be for Alexander Lukashenko a pretext to demand from Moscow the Board (if not in cash) for the further use of land plots under buildings and structures its military facilities. Under current arrangements, Russia is not paying a penny.
The secrets of the American doctrines
Meanwhile, in recent times the Belarusian leader has a new trump card. Some time ago the American edition of Slate published an article in which were disclosed details of the secret command post exercise conducted by the Council of national security of the United States at the end of the presidency of Barack Obama.
The legend of one of the stages of these exercises involved the use of American atomic weapons in connection with a hypothetical attack by the Russian army with the use of nuclear missiles in the Baltic States.
And in response to this attack was planned to bring down nuclear weapons is not on the aggressor troops and the territory of Belarus, which, being the nominal ally of Moscow, this operation did not participate.
According to some Russian experts, such a seemingly illogical step due to the fear of American generals that a nuclear strike on Russia, even low-yield tactical ammunition is guaranteed to lead to the exchange of missile strikes between the major powers for strategic warheads. But the use of charges in three to five kilotons against Belarus, which have nothing to say to that, would be for Moscow a demonstration of U.S. willingness to resort to the most extreme measures, to force her to retreat.
The value of the “Volga” has increased
After reviewing the publication in Slate, a number of commentators asked the question: lose what objects on the territory of Belarus could, in the logic of the Americans to force Moscow to abandon aggressive intentions against the Western neighbours?
Most likely, analysts say, the sight may be those objects that are critical to the defense of the Russian Federation. And it is the very early warning radar “Volga” and communications of the Russian Navy “Moscow”.
As has been reported in the media, “Volga”, part of the Russian system of missile warning, designed to detect launches of ballistic missiles, medium-range and shorter-range nuclear forces (INF) from the territory of Western Europe and adjacent seas. Operating in the UHF band, this radar can detect missiles at a distance of 4800 km, a stealth target with RCS of 0.1 sq. m. up to 2,000 km
Now, in connection with the U.S. withdrawal from the INF Treaty and the importance of the radar station “Volga” for Russia’s defense capability has increased significantly, as now there is nothing stopping the Americans to place their INF into Europe.
Node “Vileyka”: not only for the Navy
Much less than the radar “Volga”, not only the General public, but to many experts, aware of the 43rd communication center of the Russian Navy “Moscow”, operating since the mid 60-ies.
Its territory includes the antenna field area of 400 hectares with a mast height of 300 metres near the town of Vileika. Another 250 hectares of buildings and military equipment of the garrison, serving the communications node.
Transmitter “Antey”, emitting in the range of super-long waves, is capable of using mast antenna field to send the signal, penetrating into the depths of ocean waters to 50 m, at a distance of 10 thousand km. It is designed for communication with nuclear submarines on combat patrol in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans partially.
The strategic importance of the node “Vilejka” to Moscow cannot be overstated: through him the Russian General staff passes the command on the nuclear submarine.
However, the 43rd communications hub is working in the interests not only of the Navy. On its territory located equipment, electronic reconnaissance, scanning the surrounding NATO countries, as well as covering their territory with a powerful electronic warfare systems.
Moscow provides weak ally weapons
In General, we can agree with the arguments of those analysts who believe that in the event of armed conflict between the US and Russia’s military facilities in Belarus will become primary targets for American nuclear missile attacks. And hence the continued operation of these facilities is extremely dangerous for our country.
Meanwhile Russia, for which Belarus — a key military ally and Outpost in the Western strategic direction, effectively doing nothing to strengthen its defenses.
Half a dozen available today in the Belarusian air force and air defense forces of the Soviet anti-aircraft missile systems s-300 does not able to resist missile impact of a potential enemy. To an even greater extent this applies to air defense systems of medium and short-range.
According to the authors, even the Russian editions of such a serious disregard for the interests of an ally, whatever it was intractable, fraught for Moscow not only significant financial costs but also losses in the area of national security. After all, only those strong alliances that benefit all their participants.
So Lukashenka has grounds to put in front of Moscow the question on a more generous supply of weapons or economic bonuses.
However, in this connection to repeat my forecast: the Belarusian leader will not dare to beat in bargaining with Russia over its two military facilities in Belarus. Anger Eastern ally in security matters is too risky.
