Review of military events in Belarus on March 4-10
Combat training, activities of the Internal Troops and territorial defense.
The Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Uzbekistan paid an official visit to Belarus. The delegation of the Belarusian Armed Forces took part in the DIMDEX-2024 international defense exhibition and a seminar on military medicine.
A number of combat training activities were reported. These included company-tactical drills in the 11th Mechanized Brigade and unit coordination in the 103rd Airborne Brigade. Mobilization readiness training was also held with the territorial defense authorities.
Units of the Special Operations Forces of the Belarusian Armed Forces will be deployed in the regions of Belarus bordering Ukraine until the end of 2024. The Russian military began to use Belarusian-made MAZ trucks.
International cooperation
On March 4, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Uzbekistan paid an official visit to Belarus. During the visit, negotiations were held with the Minister of Defense of Belarus and the Chief of the General Staff of the Belarusian Armed Forces.
On March 4-6, a Belarusian military delegation took part in the DIMDEX-2024 international defense exhibition in Doha (Qatar). Within the framework of the exhibition, a representative of the Belarusian delegation met with the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Qatar.
A delegation of the Belarusian Armed Forces participated in a seminar on military medicine for member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization held in Islamabad (Pakistan). During the seminar, the issues of medical care for servicemen were discussed.
Combat training
Field drills are being conducted in the 191st Artillery Group of the 19th Mechanized Brigade and the 310th Artillery Group of the 120th Mechanized Brigade.
Soldiers of the 6th Mechanized Brigade continued training as snipers at the 56th center for the training of junior specialists of the motorized rifle troops of the Russian Armed Forces.
Field drills of the Air Defense Forces of the Western Operational Command began at the 174th Air Force and Air Defense Forces training ground. Units of the 6th and 11th Mechanized Brigades and the 147th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment took part in the drills. As part of the drills, training was conducted to search for a conditional airborne enemy using UAVs. Evacuation and first aid in the field were practiced.
Company-tactical drills with the 40th Separate Mechanized Battalion of the 11th Mechanized Brigade were held at the Chapialiova training ground. The drills are one of the stages of company coordination and allow to assess the readiness of the unit to perform its assigned tasks.
Field drills are held with the 202nd Separate Mechanized Battalion of the 6th Mechanized Brigade. From the first day, the servicemen began active combat training.
The personnel of the pontoon bridge battalion of the 557th Engineering Brigade underwent tactical and special training during field drills. The personnel successfully equipped three ferry crossings and transported equipment to the opposite bank of the Nioman river. Special attention was paid to water reconnaissance, cross-country marching, and communication organization.
On March 6, a methodological training session with servicemen trained at the 333rd combat training center of the Russian Armed Forces was held at the Lepelski training ground. The participants of the training session were shown elements of firearms and tactical training, tactical medicine, mine and explosives operations, and the use of UAVs and communications equipment. Special attention was paid to individual training with emphasis on the autonomy of servicemen in combat conditions.
Comprehensive tactical training with live firing involving platoons and the personnel of the 358th Separate Mechanized Battalion of the 120th Mechanized Brigade was conducted at the 227th combined arms training ground. The servicemen practiced repelling an attack by a conditional enemy and operated on unfamiliar terrain in night conditions. The servicemen also repelled a massive attack by a conventional enemy using standard weapons.
Field drills began with the 2nd Anti-Aircraft Missile Divizion of the 1st Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment at the Hozhski training ground. The servicemen are conducting special and tactical training, as well as formation of combat units. During the training, they practice changing positions, transfer of military equipment from marching to combat positions. Special attention is paid to camouflaging military equipment, guarding, and countering UAVs.
The commission of the main military inspectorate of the Belarusian Armed Forces is inspecting the 85th Signal Brigade (line brigade). The inspection will determine the level of combat and mobilization readiness, combat training and management of daily activities, as well as the ability to carry out the intended tasks. The condition of military equipment and materiel stocks will also be inspected.
On March 6, a joint staff training was held in the 74th Signal Regiment under the leadership of the Chief of Communications of the Western Operational Command. And on March 7, a comprehensive combat readiness training was conducted in the regiment. During the training, the deployment of mobilization resource reception points was practiced. The regiment’s servicemen also underwent special training in night conditions.
The coordination of the squads of the battalion tactical group of the 103rd Airborne Brigade’s parachute battalion was conducted at the Losvida training ground. Artillery units fired mortars and anti-tank missile systems to support the assault actions of the paratrooper units. All trainings are conducted in a comprehensive manner, in conditions as close to combat as possible.
During field drills, control exercises on tactical special training were held with the personnel of the engineering battalion of the 557th Engineering Brigade. During the training, the servicemen performed tests on digging shelters for equipment and personnel using mechanized means.
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 and the mobilization readiness of vehicles. Inspections of the readiness of local authorities to carry out mobilization activities were reported.
On March 4-7, mobilization readiness training with territorial defense authorities was held all over Belarus. They practiced the formation of territorial troops. The training is held twice a year.
On March 5, the military commissariats of Minsk region sent 22 conscripts to a military training session.
On March 5, the military commissariat of Slonim and Zelva districts held an open mobile trial. The court considered the criminal case of evasion from military service (p.1, Art.435 of the Criminal Code). The court found the conscript guilty and sentenced him to 1 year of imprisonment in an open-type correctional institution.
In the near future, drills with territorial defense are to be held in Voranava district (Hrodna region). Such a conclusion can be made based on the analysis of state procurements, which have been recently conducted by the district executive committee.
Internal Troops
The seventh course of special tactical training of the Internal Troops continued. During the training, firing as part of small tactical groups was practiced. Firearms and special training using the BTR-80 was also conducted.
Training in field conditions was conducted with the personnel of the technical support company of the 6th Militia Brigade. During the training, the servicemen practised moving in a convoy during a march, deploying mobile workshops, organizing and carrying out repairs to armoured vehicles and evacuating damaged vehicles.
Military equipment
Work continues on the development of a short-range reconnaissance radar station as part of the Klyon development work. Another stage of testing of the full-scale mockup of the radar station was conducted. The station’s UAV detection capabilities were tested in practice.
Field tests of the modernized 9A33-2B combat vehicle of the Osa SAM system were completed. The modernization of the Osa SAM system is being carried out at the 2566th electronic warfare repair plant located in Barysau.
The Russian military started operating Belarusian-made MAZ-6317 trucks. This conclusion is based on information spread by one of Z-channels. Apparently, large losses in equipment and the inability of the industry to meet all the needs forced the Russian military to start purchasing MAZ trucks in Belarus. The scale of purchases is unknown.
Amendments to legislation
On March 4, a decree “On transferring state bodies and other organizations to work in wartime conditions” was signed. The document improves the procedure for transferring state bodies from peacetime to wartime work, ensuring their coordinated and effective interaction in case of threats to national security, taking into account changes in military and political conditions. The full text of the decree hasn’t been published.
Other
Units of the Special Operations Forces of the Belarusian Armed Forces will be deployed in Homiel and Mazyr districts of Belarus on the border with Ukraine until the end of 2024. This conclusion can be made based on the information on state procurement. Officially, the Belarusian Armed Forces are there to strengthen the protection of the border with Ukraine. However, in reality, the Belarusian military are also engaged in guarding the Russian military at Mazyr and Ziabrauka airfields.
On March 6, movements of the Iskander-M missile systems of the Belarusian Armed Forces were recorded on the territory of Minsk region. The Belarusian Ministry of Defense didn’t report on any drills with the Missile Troops.
The total amount of national defense expenditures of all budgets of Homiel region for 2024 is ≈$ 1.6 million. This is 37% more than in 2023. The planned expenditures will allow not only to finance the current activities of local authorities in the sphere of national defense, but also to continue investing in it.
On March 4 and 10, an An-124 transport aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces arrived at Baranavichy airfield. In both cases, a few hours later, the plane left for Rzhev (Russia), where the 514th Aircraft Repair Plant is located. We recall that Russian aircraft are stationed at Baranavichy airfield.