Military activity on the territory of Belarus on April 22-28

Aviation activity, movements of the troops by rail and roads in Belarus.

During the past week, military transport aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces arrived twice in Homiel. A Su-30SM fighter arrived at Baranavichy airfield from Russia.

We continue to record activity of the Belarusian military in Yelsk district. Units of the 19th Mechanized Brigade are still stationed in the area bordering Lithuania.

Aviation activity

• Aviation activity was recorded at Machulishchy, Lida, Baranavichy, and Luninets airfields, as well as at Homiel and Brest airports. Flights of aircraft and helicopters of the Belarusian Air Force and Russian Aerospace Forces were recorded.
• On April 22, 23, 25, 26, 27 and 28, flights of helicopters of the 50th combined air base of the Belarusian Air Force were recorded in the area of the western border of Belarus.
• On April 23, an An-12 military transport aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces arrived at Baranavichy airfield.
• On April 23, a Su-30SM fighter of the Russian Aerospace Forces arrived at Baranavichy airfield from Russia.
• On April 23, a Tu-134AK aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces arrived at Machulishchy airfield from Russia. On April 24, the aircraft flew back.
• On April 25, an An-26 military transport aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces arrived at Homiel airport from Russia. On the same day, the aircraft flew to Baranavichy airfield and then to Levashovo airfield (Russia).
• On April 26, an An-12 military transport aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces arrived at Homiel airport from Russia. On April 28, the aircraft flew back to Russia.
• On April 26, a Mi-8 helicopter of the Belarusian Air Force arrived in Pastavy (Vitsiebsk region).

Rail activity

• On April 25, a military cargo train with equipment of the Belarusian Armed Forces was spotted at Mikhanovichy station (Minsk district).

Movements by road

• Single vehicles of the Russian Armed Forces were spotted in Mazyr and Mazyr district.
• Small convoys (up to 10 pieces), single vehicles, and large convoys (10+ pieces) of the Belarusian Armed Forces were spotted in Minsk, Yelsk, Mazyr, Pietrykau district, and on some sections of the М1, М6, R31, and other highways.

Combat training

Combat training activities with units of the Belarusian Armed Forces were conducted at the Hozhski, Maryina Horka, Barysauski, Obuz-Liasnouski, Uruchcha, Losvida training grounds, and in some areas (Ashmiany and Pastavy districts).

Changes in the size of the Russian Armed Forces group and PMC Wagner in Belarus: no data.

General conclusion on current situation

1) The information about another rotation of the Special Operations Forces units deployed in Homiel district (Ziabrauka airfield) was confirmed. A battalion of the 38th Air Assault Brigade was replaced by a battalion of the 103rd Airborne Brigade.

2) Units of the 19th Mechanized Brigade are still stationed in the area bordering Lithuania.

3) We continue to record activity of the Belarusian Armed Forces in Yelsk (Homiel region). We recall that on April 8-9, air defense units of the Belarusian Armed Forces were redeployed to Yelsk district to protect the Mazyr oil refinery.

4) During the week, two military transport aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces arrived at Homiel airport. We note that the airport is used to supply the Russian Armed Forces units stationed at Ziabrauka and Mazyr (Bokau) airfields, as well as to ensure their rotation. Since May 2023, up to 2 military transport aircraft have been arriving at the airport every month.