Combat training, activities of the Internal Troops and territorial defense.
On February 15, a “counter-terrorist operation” was conducted in Lelchytsy district. Citizens who had been under investigation in Ukraine for drug smuggling were detained during the operation.
A number of combat training activities were reported. These included training of mechanized units at the ‘Khrenin’s line’, field drills, and tactical drills in the 115th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment. The training of the Belarusian Armed Forces by PMC Wagner mercenaries continued.
It was reported that a representative of the Deputy Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics of Iran visited Belarus. The first group of instructors who were trained at the 333rd combat training center returned from Russia.
Counter-terrorist operation in Lelchytsy district
On 15 February, a “counter-terrorist operation” regime was introduced in Lelchytsy (located 10 km from the border with Ukraine). The local authorities said that drills were held on the territory of Lelchytsy district. However, when the counter-terrorist operation regime was introduced, the local authorities can’t know what is going on even according to the law – everything that happens is controlled by law enforcement agencies. At the same time, in the morning of February 15, helicopters arrived in Lelchytsy from Minsk, bringing servicemen of the Internal Troops and the Belarusian Armed Forces. Judging by the actions of the enforcers and public communication, it didn’t look like a classic drills and it was most likely an emergency situation.
On February 16, Lukashenka said that a sabotage and reconnaissance group was detained in Lelchytsy district. The enforcers detained two citizens of Ukraine and one citizen of Belarus. According to official information, the sabotage and reconnaissance group was supposed to allegedly deliver explosive devices to commit terrorist acts in Russia and Belarus on the instructions of the Ukrainian security services. According to the media, the detainees were under investigation in Ukraine for drug smuggling. Everything indicates another informational provocation by the security agencies of Lukashenka’s regime ahead of the elections in Belarus.
International cooperation
On February 17, it became known that the Deputy Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics of Iran (MODAFL) for International Relations Seyed Ghalandari visited Minsk. During the meeting with the head of the Department of International Military Cooperation, the parties discussed the issues of current interaction and negotiations within the framework of the upcoming events of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Combat training
On February 12, a training session for drivers of the BTR-82A and BRDM-2 for the 120th Mechanized Brigade was completed at the 227th combined arms training ground. It was noted that for the first time, the training of drivers was held on the basis of the brigade and not at the 72nd joint training center. The servicemen mastered the training program and successfully passed an examination on the design, operation and driving of armored vehicles with a test exercise.
Training continued at the Obuz-Liasnouski training ground with the 202nd Mechanized Battalion of the 6th Mechanized Brigade under the leadership of PMC Wagner mercenaries. The battalion’s servicemen were trained in combat in urban environment. They also practiced assaulting and defending rear positions, fighting in trenches, firing the AGS-17 grenade launcher and the Konkurs anti-tank missile system.
Field drills continued at the Brestski training ground in one of the divisions of the 115th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment. During the training, the servicemen practiced the actions of the squad in marching guard, working with a topographic map, using personal protective equipment, and first aid. On February 15, the division held tactical control training on changing positions. Reconnaissance and maneuvering to a new position area were practiced. The servicemen also practiced replenishing the ammunition of missiles.
Units of the 6th Mechanized Brigade continue to incorporate the best practices of modern warfare into the combat training program. During tactical training, one of the mechanized battalions practiced urban and trench combat.
Soldiers of one of the mechanized battalions of the 11th Mechanized Brigade are training at the “resistance site of the Kobryn fortified area” located in the vicinity of Saki village, Zhabinka district. The servicemen practiced active defense of held positions using artillery and UAVs. Earlier, similar training was conducted with one of the units of the 6th Mechanized Brigade.
Soldiers of the 11th Mechanized Brigade were trained at the Obuz-Liasnouski training ground in tactical combat in urban conditions and in explosive operations.
Training continued for snipers of the reconnaissance and special units of the Western Operational Command on the basis of the 103rd Airborne Brigade. During the week, mountaineering exercises were held with servicemen.
On February 13, a special training was held with soldiers of the repair company of the 11th Mechanized Brigade. The training included the restoration of armored vehicles in the field and UAV reconnaissance in areas where vehicles were being repaired. The MTO-UB1 maintenance workshop was used during the training.
On February 13-14, under the leadership of the head of the territorial defense directorate of the General Staff, a command staff training with the territorial defense authorities of Minsk was held.
On February 14, Belarusian servicemen trained at the 333rd combat training center of the Russian Armed Forces returned to Belarus. The training focused on the experience gained by the Russian Armed Forces during the war in Ukraine. Upon completion of the training, they received certificates of instructors. In the future, the servicemen will train the Belarusian Armed Forces as instructors. The practice of training instructors for the Belarusian Armed Forces will continue in Russia.
On February 15, a counter-UAV training was held at the 11th Mechanized Brigade.
On February 15, a tactical and special training was conducted with the command post of the 147th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment. During the training, they practiced the issues of deploying and dismantling control centers, command staff vehicles and cable communication lines, deployment of communications equipment in special conditions and in settlements.
On February 14-16, comprehensive special tactical training was held at the 2400th Separate Signal Battalion of the 127th Signal Brigade (territorial). During the training, communications were organized and equipment was repaired in the field conditions.
Field drills continue in the pontoon bridge battalion of the 557th Engineering Brigade. On February 16, the personnel of the pontoon company were trained to deploy a pontoon river crossing.
On February 16, the personnel of the 250th Separate Guard and Service Battalion were trained to repel an attack on protected facilities.
Trainings were held in the UAV aviation detachment of the 6th Mechanized Brigade to perform tasks at night.
Field drills are held in the 310th Artillery Group.
Military commissariats and territorial defense
During the week, trainings were reported on the organization of notification, collection and delivery of mobilization resources, as well as on the performance of military transport duties. It was reported on the conduct of trainings on the deployment of the reception and collection point for persons liable for military service.
On February 13-14, the military commissariats of Asipovichy and Klichau districts held a mobilization training, during which the evacuation of personnel and equipment was practiced.
From January 23 to February 16, a military training session with reservists was held at the 72nd joint training center.
Military equipment
Artillery units of the 6th Mechanized Brigade use mortar mock-ups produced in the brigade. By placing mock-up weapons in false positions, the following objectives are pursued: 1) to attack false targets, the potential enemy expends ammunition without achieving any result; 2) by striking at false targets, the enemy’s firepower uncover their positions; 3) to divert the main strike from real military equipment. The brigade’s tank units also continue to produce anti-drone canopies.
The troops received another batch of the ATSIP-6 automobile water tankers. The vehicle is equipped with a 6000-liter water tank and is mounted on a MAZ chassis. Equipping with such vehicles increases the maneuverability of rear units and enhances water delivery capabilities.
Amendments to legislation
On February 12, a decree on conscription for active military service was signed. The document envisages conscription for active military service, (service in the reserve) of Belarusian citizens who meet the established criteria in February-May 2024. Such decrees are signed twice a year before each conscription for active military service.
On February 12, a resolution of the Security Council was signed approving the drafts of the National Security Concept and the Military Doctrine of Belarus. According to the resolution, the Ministry of Defense of Belarus should finalize the draft Military Doctrine taking into account the comments of the Security Council members. In the future, both documents will be submitted to the All-Belarusian People’s Assembly for approval and will be approved by March 25, 2024.
Other
On February 14, a briefing was held at the CSTO Crisis Response Center (Moscow) by Colonel General Andrei Serdyukov, Chief of the CSTO Joint Staff. It was reported that in 2024, the focus will be on the collective security of the Central Asian region. Special joint CSTO drills “Interaction”, “Search”, “Echelon” are planned in Kyrgyzstan, the “Unbreakable Brotherhood” drills with the CSTO peacekeeping forces in Kazakhstan, and the “Rubezh” CSTO drills with the collective rapid deployment forces of the Central Asian region in Tajikistan.
On February 15, firearms training with the leadership of educational institutions was held at the Military Academy. During the training, special attention was paid to the courses of initial military training, which will be introduced in all Belarusian higher education institutions starting from September 1, 2024.
On February 16, the Air Force and Air Defense Forces Command held a conference on flight safety of the aviation of the Belarusian Armed Forces. Representatives of the Russian Aerospace Forces took part in the conference.
