This disciplinary practice was recently introduced during the harvest campaign following a directive from the head of state.

Aleksandr Lukashenko reiterated his core thesis: «We must work if we do not want to fight.» This refers to everyone working conscientiously in their positions and strictly adhering to all necessary technological standards, which ultimately strengthens the nation’s economy. In agriculture, this is especially critical during the harvest season, which is why the head of state had previously ordered drastic measures against negligent workers.

«Let me give you an example. Some people just chuckled when I said at the conference call: send the negligent ones, the drunkards, and others who refuse to work on the land during the harvest to the ‘front lines.’ Send them to the army, to the special operations forces, to the border — to Krupko and Parkhomchik, with Khrenin [the heads of Gomel Oblast and Brest Oblast, and the defense minister, respectively] being responsible,» the head of state recalled.

Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that he initially thought there could be thousands of them, but in the end, with the help of local authorities, about 500 people were tracked down and drafted.