Review of military events in Belarus on November 27-December 3
International cooperation, combat training, activities of PMC Wagner, etc.
Last week, Belarusian military held negotiations in Havana, reaching an agreement on military cooperation with Cuba, and visited military educational institutions in Egypt.
Another batch of new and modernized communications equipment was handed over to the troops. At the same time, the military probably refused to purchase new Uragan-M MLRS in favor of a cheaper modernized option.
Another military transport aircraft linked to the activities of PMC Wagner arrived in Belarus. The Internal Troops continue to actively cooperate with the mercenaries and involve them in the training of personnel.
The Council of Ministers of the Union State approved a program of modernization of logistics facilities of the regional group of troops, which includes investments in the development of Belarus’ military infrastructure.
International cooperation
On November 29, negotiations between representatives of the Armed Forces of Belarus and Cuba were held in Havana (Republic of Cuba). As a result of the negotiations, the parties agreed on the draft Agreement on military cooperation and the Plan of bilateral activities for 2024.
On November 29, it was reported that the Belarusian military delegation visited military educational institutions of Egypt.
Combat training
On December 1, a new academic year started in the Belarusian Armed Forces. It was noted that the academic year would be full of combat training activities.
On December 2, a reinforced battalion of the 38th Air Assault Brigade began field drills that will last two months.
Rearmament. Activity of the military-industrial complex
On November 29, the transfer of new and modernized communication equipment to the troops took place. A total of 25 combined radars and special control centers were transferred. These included at least eight R-142NMB Start combined radars, two R-414MBRP Sosna-2 radars and others. New communication equipment is transferred to the troops twice a year. The previous batch of new equipment was handed over in May 2023.
Belarusian Uragan-M MLRS won’t be purchased for the Belarusian Armed Forces in the near future. The military (at least for now) chose a cheaper modernization option– replacement of the engine on the chassis of the Uragan MLRS. This measure will solve some serious issues (high operating costs, insufficient mobility).
PMC Wagner
On November 28, an Il-76 transport aircraft of the Russian AbakanAir cargo airline arrived at Babruisk airfield. The aircraft later flew to Bangui (the capital of the Central African Republic). There is every reason to believe that the arrival of the Il-76 aircraft was related to the activities of PMC Wagner (for example, to transport the mercenaries or their belongings). This is the second recorded flight of this kind, which could have indeed transported a number of mercenaries from Belarus to Africa (the first one was recorded in November).
Internal Troops
Servicemen of the Shtorm special purpose unit (Brest) of the Internal Troops practiced small groups tactics during reconnaissance and search activities at the Brestski training ground. PMC Wagner mercenaries were instructors at the training.
The mercenaries of PMC Wagner conducted training with servicemen of the Taifun special purpose unit (Hrodna). During the training, they practiced storming a trench, first aid to a wounded person and his/her subsequent evacuation.
Cadets of the Faculty of the Internal Troops of the Military Academy were undergoing a special training course under the guidance of PMC Wagner mercenaries for a month. The final stage of the course was comprehensive training with combat firing.
Amendments to the legislation
On November 29, the Council of Ministers of the Union State signed an agreement, which approves a program of modernization of logistics facilities of the regional group of troops of Belarus and Russia for 2023-2027. Thus, Russia will continue to invest in the maintenance of Belarus’ military infrastructure.
Military commissariats
On November 25, new recruits drafted for active service took the oath. Based on the available information, we can state the growing popularity of service under contract instead of active service. We should also note that a record number of conscripts for the last 10 years was drafted to the units of the Border Guard Service. This is connected with the strengthening of the border with Ukraine.
Other
There is a new confirmation of the construction of a military town in Homiel district for units of the forming Southern Operational Command.
Colonel Aliaksei Khuzyakhmetov, the commander of the 5th Special Purpose Brigade, was dismissed from his post due to his enrollment in the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces.