Aviation activity, movements of the troops by rail and roads in Belarus.
During the week, An-72 and IL-76 transport aircraft of the Russian Navy and Russian Aerospace Forces respectively arrived at Baranavichy airfield and Minsk National Airport from Russia.
On November 19 and 20, flights of a helicopter of the Belarusian Air Force from “Site 400. Kupol” to Ziabrauka, Mazyr (Bokau) and Luninets airfields were recorded. Last time such activity was recorded at the end of June.
On November 23, Ukrainian sources reported about the redeployment of MiG-31K fighters of the Russian Aerospace Forces to Belarus. However, this information does not correspond to reality.
Aviation activity
Aviation activity was recorded at Machulishchy, Lida, Baranavichy, Luninets, Ziabrauka, Bokau (Mazyr), Lipki airfields. Flights of aircraft and helicopters of the Belarusian Air Force, Russian Aerospace Forces and Russian Navy were recorded.
Belarusian Air Force
- On November 19, 22 and 24, flights of fighters of the Belarusian Air Force were recorded at Baranavichy airfield in the southeastern and southern regions of Belarus.
- On November 19, a Mi-8 helicopter of the Belarusian Air Force flew from Machulishchy airfield to “Site 400. Kupol” (Volma). Then the helicopter flew to Mazyr (Bokau) airfield (Mazyr district) and Ziabrauka airfield (Homiel district). Later, the helicopter returned to Machulishchy airfield via “Site 400. Kupol.”
- On November 19, an IL-76 military transport aircraft of the Belarusian Air Force left Machulishchy airfield for Kubinka airfield (Russia). On November 20, the aircraft returned to Machulishchy.
- On November 20, a Mi-8 helicopter of the Belarusian Air Force flew from Machulishchy airfield to “Site 400. Kupol” (Volma). Then the helicopter flew to Luninets airfield. Later, the helicopter returned to Machulishchy via “Site 400. Kupol”.
- On November 21, active helicopter flights were recorded due to the conduct of one of the episodes of the command-staff drills of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Hrodna and Hrodna district. In particular, helicopter flights were recorded from Machulishchy airfield, Valeryanava (Minsk district), Lipki airfield and Maryina Horka to the Hozhski training ground and Skidel.
Russian Aerospace Forces
- On November 19, an An-72 transport aircraft of the Russian Navy arrived at Minsk National Airport from Seshcha airfield (Russia). On November 20, the aircraft flew to Shatalovo airfield (Russia).
- On November 21, an IL-76 military transport aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces arrived at Baranavichy airfield from Russia. On the same day, the aircraft flew to Levashovo airfield (Russia).
Railroad activity
- No railroad activity was recorded.
Movements by road
- No movements of the Russian Armed Forces were recorded.
- Single vehicles and small convoys (up to 10 pieces) of the Belarusian Armed Forces were spotted in Minsk and on some sections of the М1, M3, M6, and other highways.
General conclusion on current situation
1) During the week, flights of helicopters from “Site 400. Kupol”, located near Volma (Smaliavichy district), to the southern airfields of Belarus were recorded.
One of the units (probably a communications center) of the 127th Signal Brigade (military unit 30677) is stationed in military camp No. 47A “Volma” (Volma, Smaliavichy district). In 2022, the joint headquarters for the Union Resolve-2022 drills was located in Volma (“Site 400. Kupol”). And later – the command post of the group of the Russian Armed Forces, which began the invasion of Ukraine from the territory of Belarus.
During the helicopter flight on November 19, the stay at “Site 400. Kupol” was ≈1-5 minutes (08:15-08:16 and 15:55-16:00); at Mazyr (Bokau) airfield – ≈ 1.5 hours (9:32-11:03); at Ziabrauka airfield – ≈ 2 hours 40 minutes (11:42-14:27). The timing was similar during the flight on November 20: “Site 400. Kupol” – ≈ 2 minutes (8:10-8:12); Luninets airfield – ≈ 3 hours 15 minutes (09:39-12:55).
This means that the helicopter picked up passengers at “Site 400. Kupol” and then delivered them to the airfields.
Mazyr (Bokau), Ziabrauka and Luninets airfields are united by the fact that air defense units of the Belarusian Armed Forces and Russian Armed Forces are deployed there. For example, units of the 1530th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment (military unit 31458; one S-400 anti-aircraft missile divizion each) are deployed in Mazyr district and Homiel district. The units provide cover, including from Russian drones, which regularly fly into Belarus. And the 56th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment of the Belarusian Armed Forces (military unit 10198, S-300PS SAM systems) is deployed in Luninets.
Recall that in 2024, flights from “Site 400. Kupol” to the southern airfields of Belarus took place in March, June and November.
From this we can conclude that on November 19-20, another inspection of air defense units covering the southern border of Belarus in the airspace took place. It should be noted that last time the “inspection” of airfields was conducted back in late June, i.e. before the start of systematic flights of Russian drones into Belarus.
2) On November 23, Ukrainian sources reported about the redeployment of MiG-31K fighters of the Russian Aerospace Forces to Belarus. This information does not correspond to reality. Last time MiG-31K arrived in Belarus on October 9-10. Currently, the aviation group of the Russian Aerospace Forces, which is permanently stationed in Belarus (Baranavichy airfield), consists of 4 Su-30SM fighters.
