Review of military events in Belarus on December 2-8
Combat training, activities of the Internal Troops and territorial defense.
Belarus and Russia signed the Treaty on Security Guarantees within the framework of the Union State. The document defines mutual allied obligations to ensure the defense of the countries.
During the week, ≈ 88 Russian drones of the Shahed type flew into Belarus. Most of them subsequently flew to Ukraine. The destruction of the drones by units of the Belarusian Armed Forces was not reported.
On December 6, during a meeting of the Supreme State Council of the “Union State,” Lukashenka asked Putin to deploy the Oreshnik missile system in Belarus. According to Putin, the deployment of Oreshnik on the territory of Belarus is possible in the second half of 2025.
Units of the Engineering Troops of the Belarusian Armed Forces received a batch of equipment modernized at the enterprises of the Russian military-industrial complex. The troops received modernized PTS-2 floating transporters, IMR-2 clearing engineering vehicles and other equipment.
New units are being formed in the Internal Troops. For example, special forces platoons are being formed in the battalions of the 1st Militia Brigade. In addition, a unit of “volunteers” was created using the assigned personnel.
Meeting of the Supreme State Council of the so-called “Union State”
On December 6, a meeting of the Supreme State Council of the “Union State” was held in Minsk. During the meeting, Belarus and Russia signed the Treaty on Security Guarantees within the framework of the “Union State” (hereinafter – the Treaty). According to Putin, the document defines mutual allied obligations to ensure defense, protection of sovereignty, independence and constitutional order of Russia and Belarus, the integrity and inviolability of the territories and the external border of the “Union State. And with the use of all available forces and means (including nuclear weapons).
According to State Secretary of the Security Council of Belarus Aliaksandr Valfovich, the Treaty is “the first normative document that says that the two states stand for each other and guarantee each other’s security if necessary, in case one state appeals to the other.” In addition to the Treaty, a new Security Concept of the “Union State” was approved during the meeting.
The texts of the signed documents have not been published yet. However, on December 7, BELPOL disclosed the content of the agreement signed on December 6. It was noted that the document contained provisions similar to the terms of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty between Russia and DPRK.
It was reported that the Treaty consists of 9 articles. It says that in case of “a threat to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, the external border of the Union State, the constitutional order of Belarus and Russia from third states, their associations, terrorist and extremist organizations and groups,” the parties to the treaty should immediately provide each other with military, military-technical and other assistance and use their available “forces and means.” The treaty also allows Russia to establish additional military bases and deploy military contingents on the territory of Belarus “to repel external aggression.”
The Treaty also mentions the use of Russian nuclear weapons deployed in Belarus (the fact of their deployment has not yet been confirmed). The conditions for the use of nuclear weapons in the Treaty correspond to the provisions of the Russian Nuclear Doctrine. The document says that “the use of nuclear weapons of Russia deployed on the territory of Belarus for its defense is accepted in the order determined by these countries.” It was also reported that the Treaty was concluded for 10 years with automatic extension of its validity for subsequent 10-year terms.
Oreshnik missile system in Belarus
On December 6, during a meeting of the Supreme State Council of the “Union State,” Lukashenka asked Putin to deploy the Oreshnik missile system in Belarus: “I want to publicly ask you to have the new weapons systems, and first of all Oreshnik, deployed on the territory of Belarus. […] We have certain places where we can place these weapons. With one condition only – that the targets for these weapons will be determined by the military-political leadership of Belarus. In the meantime, you will train us to use these weapons, if it is done [if Oreshnik is deployed in Belarus – ed.], so that the specialists of the Russian Federation will maintain and carry out launches at certain targets.” Putin responded to the request as follows: “I consider the deployment of such systems as Oreshnik on the territory of Belarus possible. This will become possible, I think, in the second half [of 2025]: as the serial production of such systems in Russia increases and as Russian strategic troops receive them into service.”
On December 7, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Belarusian Armed Forces Siarhei Lahadyuk commented on the decision to deploy the Oreshnik missile system in Belarus: “The decision to deploy the Oreshnik system was taken in response to the steps taken by the U.S. and Germany to deploy medium-range missiles in Europe. […] We received a task from [Lukashenka]: together with Russian specialists, our military-industrial complex will further develop [the Oreshnik system]. Active participation in these processes is due to the fact that the level of localization of our enterprises in this system is already very high.”
Nuclear weapons in Belarus
On December 6, answering the question about the procedure for the use of nuclear weapons in the Treaty on Security Assurances within the framework of the “Union State,” State Secretary of the Security Council of Belarus Aliaksandr Valfovich said the following: “Each president [Putin and Lukashenka] has his own ‘red button,’ his own briefcase, his own nuclear suitcase. Only [Lukashenka] has the right to use the weapons that are on the territory of Belarus. And those weapons that are on the territory of Russia can be used and given a command only by the president of Russia.”
Valfovich’s statement contradicts the norms of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. In particular, Article 1 of the Treaty, according to which “each of the nuclear-weapon States Parties to this Treaty undertakes not to transfer to any recipient whatsoever nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices, or control over such weapons or explosive devices, directly or indirectly.” At the same time, in July 2023, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said that the deployment of nuclear weapons on the territory of Belarus does not violate the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons because “Minsk does not gain control over them.”
International cooperation
On December 3-5, a delegation of the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan visited Belarus. The topic of the visit was logistics issues. During the visit, the parties held a number of negotiations to discuss bilateral cooperation in the field of logistics support for the armed forces of the states. The representatives of the Azerbaijani delegation also visited the logistics units of the Belarusian Armed Forces.
On December 4, it was reported that the Department of International Military Cooperation held a meeting on the occasion of the accreditation of China’s Assistant Military Attaché Liu Yang to the Ministry of Defense of Belarus and the completion of Mu Sun’s diplomatic mission in Belarus. The representatives of Belarus and China discussed the status and prospects of bilateral cooperation in the military sphere.
On December 4, it was reported that the Belarusian military delegation headed by Commander of the Air Force and Air Defense Forces Andrei Lukyanovich was on a working visit to Cuba. During the visit, negotiations were held with the Commander of the Air Defense and Revolutionary Air Force of Cuba. Also, representatives of the Belarusian delegation visited the Military Technical Institute.
During the visit to Cuba, the Belarusian delegation also had a working meeting with the Minister of the Armed Forces of Cuba and the Chief of the General Staff. The parties discussed the state and prospects of development of bilateral military cooperation, first of all, in the field of air force and air defense, and also noted “the similarity of the positions of Belarus and Cuba on the key problems of international security.” The Belarusian military visited an air defense brigade, as well as one of the control points of the Armed Forces.
On December 5, Chairman of the State Authority for Military Industry Dzmitry Pantus had a working meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Belarus Zhang Wenchuan in Minsk. During the meeting, the parties “highly appreciated the current state of bilateral military-technical cooperation.” Priority areas for further strengthening of cooperation were determined.
Combat training
On December 2, a new academic year declared “the year of military proficiency” began in the Belarusian Armed Forces. On December 3, scheduled combat training exercises began (held after the regular conscription and mastery of the initial military training program by new recruits). The general orientation of the exercises consists of a set of consecutive trainings with all categories of servicemen. Their purpose is to test the degree to which servicemen have been trained in coordinated actions when bringing units to the highest levels of combat readiness. During the trainings, the personnel’s actions were practiced when rising on alert, receiving materiel, weapons and ammunition, guarding and defending facilities, etc.
During combat readiness exercises, personnel of the 51st Artillery Brigade practiced receiving and distributing equipment arriving to staff the units, as well as detecting and combating UAVs. The anti-aircraft missile battery of the Igla MANPADS of the 11th Mechanized Brigade practiced covering units from air attacks and countering sabotage and reconnaissance groups of the conditional enemy. Reserve officers also took part in the training in the 11th Brigade.
One of the mechanized battalions of the 11th Mechanized Brigade and its attached artillery units are conducting coordination at the Obuz-Liasnouski training ground. The battalion’s units are striking targets with small arms and BMP-2 weapons under cover of fire from a battery of 2S1 Gvozdika howitzers and Grad MLRS. UAVs were used during the exercise.
Three training centers are planned to be established in the “Union State” for joint training of the Belarusian Armed Forces and Russian Armed Forces. One is planned to be located in Belarus (in Hrodna region). Two more – in Russia (in Nizhny Novgorod and Kaliningrad regions). This was stated by chairman of the Standing Committee on National Security of the “parliament” of Belarus Hennadz Lepeshka on December 3.
About 15 thousand people were drafted to military training sessions in 2024. This was stated by head of the main organizational and mobilization department of the General Staff of the Belarusian Armed Forces Aliaksandr Shalpuk on November 20. According to Belarusian Hajun, from January to October 2024, ≈12,382 people were drafted to various military training sessions in the Belarusian Armed Forces, Internal Troops and border guards. In general, an increase in the number of military training sessions has been observed in the last 2 years.
Flights of Russian drones into Belarus
On December 2, at least 24 Russian UAVs of the Shahed type flew into the airspace of Belarus from Ukraine and Russia. Later, some of them flew to Ukraine. The Belarusian Air Force was not used to intercept the UAVs.
On December 3, at least 21 Russian UAVs of the Shahed type flew into the airspace of Belarus from Ukraine and Russia (3 of them came from Russia). Subsequently, some of the UAVs flew to Ukraine. The Belarusian Air Force was not used to intercept the UAVs.
On December 3 and 4, at least 15 Russian UAVs of the Shahed type flew into the airspace of Belarus from Ukraine and Russia. Later, at least 6 UAVs flew to Ukraine. The Belarusian Air Force was not used to intercept the UAVs.
On December 5, at least 17 Russian UAVs of the Shahed type flew into the airspace of Belarus from Ukraine. Later, some UAVs flew to Ukraine. A fighter of the Belarusian Air Force was used to intercept the UAVs (for the first time since November 26).
On December 5 and 6, at least 10 Russian UAVs of the Shahed type flew into the airspace of Belarus from Ukraine and Russia. Later, some UAVs flew to Ukraine. The Belarusian Air Force was not used to intercept the UAVs.
On December 8, at least one Russian UAV of the Shahed type flew into Belarusian airspace from Ukraine. The Belarusian Air Force was not used to intercept it.
A total of ≈ 88 Russian UAVs of the Shahed type flew into Belarus on December 2-8.
Rearmament
On November 29, Vadzim Romaniv, the head of Liaison Department of the General Staff of the Belarusian Armed Forces, told on the air of the Belarus 1 TV channel when the Signal Troops will have “an analogue of the Starlink system.” The official said, “In [2023] our mobile communication kit – the so-called Starlink analogue – was presented. In [2024], we finalized this kit and improved its quality and quantity of services. And before the beginning of the new academic year, [the kit] will be in the troops.”
On December 2, the chief of staff of the 120th Mechanized Brigade described the ongoing rearmament. According to him, “over the past few months,” the brigade has received modernized radios and about 30 MKS-T mobile communication sets (the so-called Starlink analogue). The brigade has also received “a large number” of multi-rotor UAVs.
On December 2, a delegation from Russia’s Almaz-Antey Aerospace Defense Concern visited the 2566th radio electronic weapons repair plant (Barysau). During the visit, the parties signed a contract for training specialists in the program “Maintenance and repair of 98Zh6 [S-400 Triumf] SAM systems”. The training will allow Belarusian specialists to perform maintenance and repair of “key components” of the S-400 system. Officials of the Ministry of Defense of Belarus have repeatedly noted that Russia has transferred a regimental set of S-400 SAM systems (two anti-aircraft missile divizions) to Belarus.
On 5 December, it was reported that the transfer of engineering equipment modernized at Russian military-industrial complex enterprises took place at the 1371st engineering base. According to the head of the Engineering Troops of the Belarusian Armed Forces, “All modernized equipment meets modern requirements and will take its rightful place [in the Belarusian Armed Forces].” The delivery of modernized equipment is “the result of close cooperation between the armed forces of Belarus and Russia, which is aimed at strengthening the defense capabilities of the Union State.” Among the transferred equipment were modernized PTS-2 floating transporters, IMR-2 military engineering vehicles, and bridge-laying vehicles.
Infrastructure development
On December 2, the renovated Liadzishcha military town, where the 310th Artillery Group of the 120th Mechanized Brigade is stationed, was opened in Barysau. The military unit has been stationed in Barysau for 2 years. During this time, the headquarters and two barracks were renovated. In one of the barracks, classrooms were equipped, and a training and material base for the training of servicemen was created. Among other things, a training class for FPV drone operators was created. There are 5 unheated storages and 4 sheds for storing military equipment in the fleet of combat vehicles. There is a maintenance and repair station for five vehicles for servicing the equipment. A modular bathhouse was built from scratch. The canteen was also renovated.
According to Defense Minister Viktar Khrenin, about 400 facilities in the Belarusian Armed Forces are under construction, repair or modernization. Planned works have already been completed at more than 250 facilities. According to Khrenin, “Work to improve military campuses is constantly being carried out in the Armed Forces. […] We have long gone away from the notorious kitchen duty, minimized guard duty – everything is aimed at the performance of assigned tasks.” In total, over 150 military towns are operated in the Belarusian Armed Forces.
On December 7, BELPOL reported that in 2025, a Russian military facility will be built on the territory of the 1405th artillery ammunition base (military unit 42707, Vialikaya Harozha, Asipovichy district). The facility will include “structures for accommodation of personnel and vehicles.” The reason for the construction of the facility is not yet known. The connection of the construction with the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus “has not been confirmed yet, the information is being verified.”
Military commissariats. Territorial defense
On November 30, in an interview with the state media, the military commander of Smaliavichy district and Zhodzina city said that in the 2024/2025 academic year “the intensity of mobilization training activities will increase many times.” In particular, the number of military training sessions will increase. Their peculiarity will be “the practical fulfillment of tasks in the formations in any conditions.” In addition, in the new academic year, a lot of activities are planned: verification of the maintenance of military records, verification by personal communication with all citizens who are intended to serve in a special period, drills and trainings, etc. Notification of citizens for their appearance at the military commissariat “is carried out by all available means” (including SMS-notification).
In addition, there are “significant changes” in the internal work of military commissariats. For example, the importance of the automated system of military mobilization has increased, the terms of delivery of conscripts to the troops are shrinking, and the requirements to the quality of training of citizens in the reserve are increasing. According to the military commissar, the Ministry of Defense of Belarus is considering the issue of creating a separate group of military commissariat in 2025 with a deployment in Zhodzina.
In 2024, the military commissariat of Smaliavichy district and Zhodzina city drafted more than 250 people for compulsory and reserve service. More than 100 more people enlisted for military service under contract (instead of compulsory military service).
In April-May 2025, a training session with conscripts of the territorial troops will be held in Smaliavichy district and Zhodzina city. As part of the training session, conscripts will be prepared and will take part in the military parade to be held on May 9 in Minsk. The training session will begin on April 16 and will last 25 days. 150 people will be drafted from the reserve.
Throughout the week, military commissariats throughout the country held combat and mobilization readiness exercises to practice their transition from peacetime to wartime. The exercises included trainings with the administrations of centers of preliminary collection of conscripts and centers of preliminary collection of equipment, the reception of conscripts drafted from the reserve, the receipt of materiel, and the guarding of military commissariats. Medical training and radio training were also conducted.
On December 4 and 6, exercises with officials of village executive committees were held in Klichau and Slauharad districts on the procedure for forming national home guard detachments, as well as on calculating the number of “volunteers” needed to perform tasks in the administrative territory. It was also reported about exercises with commanders and deputy commanders of national home guard detachments in Kamianets district.
Internal Troops
On December 1, a one-day training session of the “veteran” Chest’ special forces detachment” took place on the basis of the 2nd Militia Brigade (military unit 3310). Instructors with combat experience (former PMC Wagner mercenaries) conducted combat training exercises on tactical and firearms training, during which combat coordination of combat groups was practiced during the tasks of capturing a stronghold. During the military engineering training, the creation of artificial engineering obstacles using standard explosive devices was practiced. In the near future, tactical medicine exercises will be held with the Chest’ special forces detachment on the basis of the Belarusian Red Cross Society.
In an interview with state media, the commander of the 1st Militia Brigade of the Internal Troops (military unit 5448), Aliaksei Labanau, talked about changes in the organizational and staff structure of the brigade. For example, a special forces platoon was formed in the 1st company of the 1st patrol battalion. The platoon carries out patrol and checkpoint service, and participates in “special comprehensive activities.” There are plans to form separate special forces platoons in the 4th Patrol Battalion, as well as in the 5th Rifle Battalion. In addition, a sniper team was formed in the Granit special forces detachment, military unit 5448 (previously all snipers in the brigade served separately, as part of platoons of all units; now they are combined into one “team”).
Labanau also spoke about the creation of a volunteer unit in the 1st Militia Brigade. The brigade’s enlisted personnel are formed from conscripts who are discharged into the reserve. They are registered in military commissariats and in case of growing military threat will be drafted to staff the brigade to the wartime staff number. In addition, a unit of “volunteers” was created in military unit 5448. These are reserve servicemen who are assigned to military unit 5448. In case of necessity, the brigade “will call volunteers on the system of notification approved in the Internal Troops, they will receive uniforms, equip, arm themselves, become in line within a few hours.” Exercises will be organized for combat coordination and combat training of the “volunteers.”
On December 3, it was reported that training courses for junior officers started at the Valoushchyna training center. The training is conducted by servicemen of special units of the Internal Troops “under the guidance of experienced instructors” and “with an emphasis on combat experience.” The trainees underwent firearms training.
On December 6, it was reported that as part of a joint initiative of the commander of Internal Troops and the Minister of Health of Belarus, military training classes for female students of Belarusian State Medical University were organized at the Faculty of Internal Troops of the Military Academy. The students were able to learn tactical medicine, hand-to-hand combat, and firearms training.
On December 6, servicemen of the Vitsiaz special forces detachment of the 7th Militia Brigade (military unit 5524) took part in a “career guidance work” with students of Brahin secondary school. During the event, the students learned about different types of UAVs, weapons and equipment of the special forces detachment.
Other
On December 4, during a meeting with the “activists of Homiel region,” the head of the main department of ideological work of the Ministry of Defense of Belarus Leanid Kasinski said that the information pressure in the whole country and especially on the residents of Homiel region is increasing “due to the election campaign that has started.”
On December 7, the military commissar of Orsha and Dubrova districts, Aliaksandr Marchanka, said that the modern army is not only technology and information warfare, but also real combat operations. Marchanka said, “We have special units that monitor and, if necessary, eliminate information threats and counter fakes.”