Brest (Belarus) (AFP) – “We always have to be prepared” says Vadim Lukashevich, Deputy Commander of Belarus’ Special Operations Forces, as troops undergo training exercises close to the Moscow-allied country’s border with the European Union. Despite the promises of Belarusian President, Alexander Lukashenko, that his forces will not join Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine, concerns over mobilisation have grown. The country currently hosts an unspecified number of Russia’s troops and allowed Moscow to use its territory to launch its special operation in February last year.