Lukashenka appoints Dzvigaliou air force and air defense commander

Previously, the colonel served as the head of the General staff.

On Monday the dictator appointed Aleg Dzvigaliova commander of the air force and air defense of the national armed forces, Interfax reports citing the presidential press-service.

Previously the colonel was the head of the General staff, the first deputy commander of the air forces and air defense of the armed forces. On 31 July 2012, Lukashenka dismissed chairperson of the State Border Committee Igar Rachkouski and air forces and air defense commander Dzmitry Pakhmelkin. The dismissals of the Belarusian military men and the warnings passed to other officials followed the meeting from 26 July, where the Belarusian president confirmed the illegal intrusion into the national airspace of the Swedish airplane.

On 4 July, the Belarusian media reported about a Swedish civilian airplane piloted by Swedish nationals that entered the Belarusian airspace from the Lithuanian side and threw teddy bears with parachutes and attached notes about the freedom of speech over Minsk and Ivianiets (Minsk region).