Combat training, activities of the Internal Troops and territorial defense.
A delegation of the Belarusian Armed Forces took part in the meetings of the heads of international military cooperation bodies of the defense ministries of the SCO and CSTO member states.
A number of combat training activities were reported. These included battalion tactical drills in the 6th Mechanized Brigade and a command staff training with troops of the Western Operational Command. Field drills began in some mechanized units and air defence units.
A group of servicemen of the Belarusian Armed Forces is being trained as snipers at the 56th training center for junior specialists of motorized rifle troops of the Russian Armed Forces. There are no plans to change the age of conscription for active service in Belarus.
International cooperation
On February 28-29, a delegation of the Belarusian Armed Forces took part in the meetings of the heads of international military cooperation bodies of the defense ministries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) member states in Astana. During the meetings, issues of strengthening security in the SCO and CSTO space were discussed.
Combat training
On February 26, battalion tactical drills with the 78th Separate Mechanized Battalion of the 6th Mechanized Brigade began at the Obuz-Liasnouski training ground.
Soldiers of the 6th and 11th Mechanized Brigades are being trained as snipers at the 56th training center for junior specialists of the motorized rifle troops of the Russian Armed Forces (Sertolovo-2, Leningrad oblast). In addition to stealthy movements and camouflage, servicemen learn to quickly leave and occupy positions and conduct counter-sniper combat. Also, during the training, the servicemen studied the material part of the 12-7 mm ASVK sniper rifle (“army large-caliber sniper rifle”).
The readiness of the material support company of the 147th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment to conduct field exercises was inspected.
Company tactical drills were held at the Chapialiova training ground with the 40th Separate Mechanized Battalion of the 11th Mechanized Brigade. During the drills, the actions of a motorized rifle company in the general army reserve were practiced.
On February 27, tank units of the 6th Mechanized Brigade began performing test firing exercises with the T-72B tank at the Hozhski training ground. During the firing exercises, fire adjustment was carried out using multi-rotor UAVs. Guided missiles were also launched. On February 28, soldiers of the 11th Mechanized Brigade performed test firing exercises using the armament of the T-72B tank at the Obuz-Liasnouski training ground.
A firing training was conducted with the personnel of the tank battalion of the 19th Mechanized Brigade at the Lepelski training ground. During the training, the tankers performed test firing exercises using the armament of the T-72B tank.
On February 28, the troops of the Western Operational Command started a command-staff training under the leadership of the Chief of the General Staff of the Belarusian Armed Forces. During the training, the readiness of signal units of the 6th Mechanized Brigade was inspected. It was noted that the theme of the training is purely defensive in nature and is a response to the Dragon-2024 drills, which are being held in Poland.
On February 28-29, the transfer from peacetime to wartime was practiced at the Minsk military commandant’s office. The purpose of the event was to inspect the skills of servicemen in coordinated actions when bringing the military unit to the highest levels of combat readiness. The servicemen were also trained in tactical and special training, during which they practiced standards of moving on the battlefield, evacuating the wounded, etc.
On February 29, units of the anti-aircraft missile and artillery division of the 11th Mechanized Brigade went to the training ground for field drills.
On February 29, tactical and special training in night conditions was held in the 74th Separate Signal Regiment. The liaison officers performed standards for deploying communications equipment in night conditions and studied the procedure and rules of guarding and camouflage during UAV operations.
On March 1, field drills began in the 202nd Separate Mechanized Battalion of the 6th Mechanized Brigade. The main objectives of the field drills are to improve the skills of the battalion’s personnel in tactical and firearms training in field conditions, combat vehicle driving, and other subjects of combat training.
On March 1, field drills began in the 105th Separate Mechanized Battalion of 11th Mechanized Brigade. The battalion marched to the Obuz-Liasnouski training ground. At the training ground, the servicemen will perform engineering equipment and camouflage activities, organize security of the deployment area, and equip accommodation and support areas for personnel and weapons, military and special equipment.
On March 1, servicemen of the 78th Separate Mechanized Battalion of the 6th Mechanized Brigade completed a training course with PMC Wagner mercenaries at the Obuz-Liasnouski training ground. The battalion returned to its permanent deployment point by rail.
On March 1, field drills began in the anti-aircraft missile and artillery divizion of the 6th Mechanized Brigade. The main objectives of the field drills are to improve the skills in field conditions and maneuvering capabilities of the divizion, to acquire practical skills for battery commanders, and to improve the coordination of crews during the repulsion of air strikes in a complex electronic environment.
On March 1, two battalions of the 557th Engineering Brigade conducted explosives training as part of field drills. One of the main objectives of the training was to learn the firing method of detonating charges.
During field drills, artillery reconnaissance units of the 51st Artillery Brigade improve their skills in reconnaissance of the enemy and the transmission of intelligence information. During bilateral trainings, the reconnaissance personnel are constantly improving techniques and methods for determining and transmitting the coordinates of objects. DJI Matrice 30T UAVs were used for reconnaissance.
During special trainings, technical support units of the 11th Mechanized Brigade practiced restoring armored vehicles in the field.
Control exercises on special training were held with the anti-aircraft artillery battery of the 103rd Airborne Brigade.
On March 2-7, combat trainings with one of the mechanized battalions of the 11th Mechanized Brigade are planned in Zhabinka district.
Military commissariats and territorial defense
During the week, it was reported that trainings were held on the organization of notification, collection and delivery of mobilization resources, military registration and reservation of persons liable for military service in organizations and village executive committees. There were reports of inspections of military registration.
From February 27 to March 1, a commission of the General Staff of the Belarusian Armed Forces inspected the territorial defense authorities of Minsk. The purpose of the inspection was to assess the level of readiness of the territorial defense, as well as the organization of the national home guard.
On March 1, five persons liable for military service returned to the military commissariats of Kletsk district from military training sessions.
Military training sessions with reservists are held on the basis of the 1146th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment.
PMC Wagner
Based on the available information, we can state that at least some of the mercenaries of PMC Wagner may have left Belarus for Russia. The probable reason for their departure could be their participation in the training of volunteer formations of the Rosgvardiya before being sent to the front. The exact number of the mercenaries left is unknown. It is premature to speak about the complete shutdown of the mercenaries’ activities in Belarus.
Internal Troops
On February 29, the seventh course of tactical and special training began at the training center of the Internal Troops. Officers from the main department of the commander of the Internal Troops, servicemen from combat training departments, heads of military-patriotic clubs, psychologists, lawyers, and first-year cadets of the Internal Troops Faculty take part in the training session. The training is conducted under the guidance of experienced instructors. Practical firearms exercises were held as part of the course.
Military equipment
The 11th Mechanized Brigade continues to produce and install anti-drone canopies on military equipment. In particular, the Grad MLRS were equipped with the items.
Amendments to legislation
On February 28, the draft law “On amendments to laws on ensuring national security” was adopted in the second reading. Some of the main innovations of the draft law are: toughening of responsibility for evasion of military registration and conscription, the possibility of informing citizens about the need to appear at the military commissariats via SMS, etc.
Other
On February 29, Viachaslau Makarchyk was appointed to the post of the head of the 1134th Military Clinical Medical Center. The previous head of the center, Colonel of Medical Service Dzmitry Klimenkou, was appointed to the post of the head of the Military Medical Institute of Belarusian State Medical University.
A representative of the Main Organizational Mobilization Department of the General Staff said that based on the results of the fall-2023 conscription campaign, the demand of the Belarusian Armed Forces for conscripts was fully met. There is a shortage of conscript resources, especially in certain specialties (it was not specified which ones). The official also said that the Ministry of Defense of Belarus considers it unnecessary to draft women for active service. There are no plans to change the age of conscription (from 18 to 27).
