Videofact: Hrodna Officer Drives Car With Tricolor

The lieutenant colonel removed Lukashenka’s flag, and hung the flag of the Russian Federation in its place.

A Hrodna.life correspondent managed to catch on video an unusual situation on September 7. Near the Army Headquarters in Lenin Street, a lieutenant-colonel of the Armed Forces of Belarus removed Lukashenka’s flag, and hung a Russian flag under the glass.

The officer explained that he was "welcoming" guests from Russia, coming to the West-2017 exercises.

The car has got Mahiliou identification numbers. In addition to the flag, he had a cap on the seat with the inscription RUSSIA.

The Russian-Belarussian exercises West-2017 will start on the territory of Belarus in September. A record number of rail cars — more than 4 thousand — was involved to transfer the Russian contingent. Many politicians and military experts believe that Russian troops will remain in Belarus after the exercises.

The exercises will involve a number of military training ranges in Belarus: near Lepel, Barysau, Vitsebsk, Asipovichy, Ruzhany and Damanava. It is also reported that some raids are planned on the "sector of the terrain" near Dretun.

The Prevention Rally demanding the cancellation of the exercises West-2017 will take place at 7 p.m. on September 8 in the Kastrychnitskaya Square in Minsk.