MINSK, May 26. /TASS/. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated the need on Thursday to set up the Southern Army Operational Command on the border with Ukraine.

"Time has so quickly prompted us to grow aware of the need to immediately set up this Operational Command. This will be the Southern Branch along with the Western and Northwestern Commands," Lukashenko said in a video clip of a meeting at the republic’s Defense Ministry posted by the ‘Pool of the Top Official’ Telegram channel close to the presidential press service.

As the Belarusian leader pointed out, "even now that it has not been created [the Southern Operational Command], the republic has to practice the defense of our southern frontiers quickly and as part of the ongoing process today."

"The troops, special operations forces and battalion tactical groups are on rotational orders and have been sent to the south by my decision and are shielding it [the border] together with the border guards," Lukashenko said.

"We must carry out this rotation and this is my firm requirement. And we must keep troops practicing in this way in these wartime conditions but without a war so far," the Belarusian president said.