Aviation activity, movements of the troops by rail and roads in Belarus.
Movements of anti-aircraft missile units armed with the Tor-M2K SAM systems were recorded in Minsk and Homiel regions.
An An-26 military transport aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces arrived at Machulishchy airfield from Russia.
Aviation activity
Aviation activity was recorded at Machulishchy, Baranavichy, and Lida airfields. Flights of aircraft and helicopters of the Belarusian Air Force and Russian Aerospace Forces were recorded.
Belarusian Air Force
- On January 9, a Mi-8 helicopter of the Belarusian Air Force flew from Machulishchy airfield to Vitsiebsk.
Russian Aerospace Forces
- On January 12, an An-26 military transport aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces arrived at Machulishchy airfield from Russia.
Railroad activity
- On January 9, a military cargo train with equipment of the mechanized battalion of the 11th Mechanized Brigade was being formed at Slonim station. The unit was marching to conduct field drills.
Movements by road
- No movements of the Russian Armed Forces were recorded.
- Single vehicles and small convoys (up to 10 vehicles) of the Belarusian Armed Forces were spotted in Yelsk and on some sections of the M1, M5, R31 and other highways.Separately, we should mention the following movements:
- On January 8, a convoy of 3 vehicles of the Belarusian Armed Forces was moving along the M5 highway (Minsk – Dukora): 2 combat vehicles of the Tor-M2K SAM system and a combat control center.
- On January 10, a convoy of 3 vehicles of the Belarusian Armed Forces was moving along the R31 highway (Kalinkavichy – Azarychy): 2 combat vehicles of the Tor-M2K SAM system and a combat control center.
General conclusion on current situation
The general conclusion on current situation made in the report for December 23 – January 5 remains valid.
The movements of convoys with Tor-M2K SAM systems, which were recorded on January 8 and 10, should be especially noted. Based on the routes of movement of the equipment, it can be stated that the SAM systems belonged to the 15th Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade of the Belarusian Armed Forces (military unit 30151). The brigade is armed with two Tor-M2K batteries.
The movements of the SAM systems could have been related to the rotation of air defense units that provide cover for the Mazyr oil refinery. Recall that since April 2024, air defense units of the Belarusian Armed Forces have been covering the refinery from air attack means (primarily drones). The units perform their tasks on a rotational basis.
