Review of military events in Belarus on November 4-10
Combat training, activities of the Internal Troops and territorial defense.
During the week, at least 17 Russian drones of the Shahed-136/131 type flew into Belarus. The destruction of the drones by the Belarusian Air Force and Air Defense Forces was not reported.
On November 9, more than 1500 conscripts of the Internal Troops, drafted for compulsory service during the fall conscription, took the military oath. Half of the total number of conscripts were sent to staff the 1st Militia Brigade and the 3rd Special Forces Brigade.
By the end of 2026, the State Border Committee plans to build two new border outposts: Karpauka (Loyeu district) and Selishcha (Stolin district).
The 11th Mechanized Brigade received a batch of Chinese Chimera drones.
International cooperation
On November 5, the “Belarusian military newspaper. In the Glory of the Motherland” published an interview with Uladzimir Kuprianyuk, the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Belarusian Armed Forces. According to the official, NATO activities pose a military threat to the “Union State” of Russia and Belarus. For example, the U.S. and its NATO allies are building up military forces and infrastructure near the borders of the “Union State,” as well as increasing support for Ukraine in the confrontation with Russia. Analyzing the current military and political steps of NATO, Kuprianyuk concludes that the alliance is actually preparing for an open armed confrontation with Belarus and Russia.
From 6 to 8 November, a conference titled “Topical Issues of Medical Support for the CSTO Group of Troops (Collective Forces) in Armed Conflicts” was held in St. Petersburg. During the conference, issues related to the organization of medical support for troops, tactical medicine, assistance to the wounded at the stages of medical evacuation in modern military conflicts and the training of medical specialists were discussed. The head of the Military Medical Department of the Ministry of Defense of Belarus made a presentation entitled “Medical support for the use of CSTO Troops (Collective Forces) in Belarus on the example of the drills ‘Combat Brotherhood-2023’.”
On November 6, a graduation of officers from China took place at the Military Academy. It was noted that “the event is an indicator not only of the effectively developing military cooperation, but also an example of strong, friendly relations and high trust between our peoples.”
Combat training
On November 5, it was reported that under the leadership of the head of the clothing department of the Ministry of Defense of Belarus, a training session with the heads of clothing services of the Armed Forces was held. The purpose of the training session was to improve the theoretical and professional level of training of chiefs of clothing services of the Belarusian Armed Forces units. During the event, the results of the clothing services of the Belarusian Armed Forces for the 2023/2024 academic year were summarized, as well as the tasks for the next year.
During the week, it was also reported about a training session with officials responsible for ensuring the safety of military service in the Belarusian Armed Forces, chiefs of engineering services, chiefs of food services, etc.
Flights of Russian UAVs into Belarus
On November 4, at least 2 Russian UAVs of the Shahed-136/131 type flew into the airspace of Belarus from Ukraine. There is no information about their further fate. The Belarusian Air Force was not used to intercept the UAVs.
On November 5, at least 2 Russian Shahed-136/131 UAVs flew into the airspace of Belarus from Ukraine. There is no information about their further fate. The Belarusian Air Force was not used to intercept the UAVs.
On November 6, at least 3 Russian Shahed-136/131 UAVs flew into the Belarusian airspace from Ukraine. At least one of the drones subsequently flew to Ukraine. There is no information about the fate of two other UAVs. The Belarusian Air Force was not used to intercept the UAVs.
On November 10, at least 10 Russian Shahed-136/131 UAVs flew into the airspace of Belarus from Ukraine. Some of the drones subsequently flew to Ukraine. There is no information about the fate of 3 other UAVs. The Belarusian Air Force was not used to intercept the UAVs.
Rearmament
On November 6, it was reported that the 11th Mechanized Brigade received another batch of Chinese Chimera UAVs (at least 12 pieces). The purchase of the drones for the Belarusian Armed Forces was reported in October 2024.
On November 6, Commander of the Special Operations Forces Vadzim Dzenisenka announced the specifics of combat training that is planned for the 2024/2025 academic year for the 38th Air Assault Brigade. “Taking into account the receipt of new equipment, taking into account the change in the organizational and staff structure [of the 38th Brigade],” Dzenisenka said. And the Commander of the 38th Air Assault Brigade added, “We [the 38th Brigade] receive new samples of weapons, military and special equipment. We have new gear. I wouldn’t hesitate to say this: it [the equipment] is among the most modern in the world.”
Development of infrastructure
On November 6, 2 new ambulances, an MRI machine and an X-ray machine were transferred to the 432nd Main Military Clinical Medical Center. It was also reported that “recently” the outpatient center of the 432nd Medical Center, the medical company of the 72nd Joint Training Center, a clinic with an infirmary at the Military Academy, etc. had been repaired and modernized.
During the event, Defense Minister Viktar Khrenin said that a “series of events on the transfer of various facilities [for the military]” began. These include sports facilities, dormitories, canteens, bathhouses, combat vehicle parks, etc. According to the official, already in 2024, “We will start commissioning facilities for entire military towns. […] All this is part of the implementation of [Lukashenka’s] instruction and the Military Town program.”
Training of specialists
On 6 November, it was reported that the military faculty at Belarusian Military Academy of Aviation organized training courses for UAV operators. As part of the course, instructors from the Military Academy and military faculties (institutes) of educational institutions held instructor-methodological exercises on the organization and methods of training to operate UAVs of multi-rotor type.
Situation on the Belarus-Ukraine border
On November 8, it was reported that servicemen of the Granit special forces detachment (military unit 5448) held a meeting with students of educational institutions in Yelsk (Homiel region). They organized an exhibition of weapons and military equipment for students, as well as held classes on firearms and military-medical training. The events were visited by the Commander of Internal Troops, Mikalai Karpiankou.
Internal Troops
Personnel assignments. Staffing of troops
On November 5, Dzmitry Miksha was appointed Deputy Commander of the Internal Troops. Prior to this appointment, he commanded the 3rd Special Forces Brigade (military unit 3214). Siarhei Hrabennikau, who previously held the position of deputy commander, was dismissed from military service as a reserve officer with the right to wear military uniform and insignia.
On November 9, more than 1500 conscripts of the Internal Troops took the military oath. Half of the total number of conscripts were sent to staff the 1st Militia Brigade (military unit 5448, over 400 people) and the 3rd Special Forces Brigade (military unit 3214, over 350 people).
Work with “volunteers”
On November 2, a training on drone control on a PC-simulator (with subsequent practical flight practice) was held at the Unmanned Aviation Center of the Rys’ special forces detachment with a group of UAV operators of the Chest’ special forces detachment.
On November 3, on the territory of the tactical complex of the 2nd Militia Brigade (military unit 3310), under the guidance of instructors with combat experience (former PMC Wagner mercenaries), a regular training was held with combat groups of the Chest’ special forces detachment. During the firearms and tactical training exercises, the focus was on improving skills in the tactics of modern combat. The engineering training exercises focused on detecting standard ammunition and improvised explosive devices.
On November 4, it was reported that servicemen of the Rys’ special forces detachment conducted exercises with representatives of the Belarusian Society of Hunters and Fishermen in Naroulia (Homiel region). During the training, they practiced the elements of tactical and military-medical training, skills of weapon handling from different shooting positions. Practical performance of shooting exercises from hunting rifles was also carried out.
On November 8, regular fire, tactical, medical, and engineering training was held at the Valoushchyna training center with combat groups of the Chest’ special forces detachment. The training was conducted by instructors from the Rys’ special forces detachment and instructors with combat experience (former PMC Wagner mercenaries). It was reported that during medical training, in addition to self-aid, the skills of mutual aid and evacuation of the wounded were practiced. The engineering training emphasized the passage of mines and explosive barriers using simulated charges.
Border guard authorities
On November 6, a graduation ceremony was held at the Institute of Border Guard Service for officers who underwent retraining at the Faculty of Advanced Training and Retraining. As a result of the course, 23 servicemen who successfully passed the final exams were awarded the rank of “lieutenant”.
By the end of 2026, the State Border Committee plans to build two new border outposts: Karpauka in Loyeu district (Homiel region) and Selishcha in Stolin district (Brest region). The Karpauka border outpost was formed back in September 2017. The feature of the outpost is the modular location of all its facilities: some of them are located on land, some – on the water. That is, in this case it is not about the formation of a new unit, but about the construction of “stationary” infrastructure. The plans to build the Selishcha border outpost were known back in 2019. The expansion of the network of border outposts on the Belarus-Ukraine border continues.