Belarus’ military drills focus on recapturing territories, fighting illegal armed groups

September 8, BPN. The Belarusian Armed Forces are holding a command-and-staff exercise from September 8 to 14 under the command of Viktar Hulevič, chief of the General Staff, the defense ministry’s press office reported.

Troops will practice “combat (special) actions to liberate territories temporarily seized by the enemy,” restore control over borders, support troops with aviation, enforce martial law, fight subversive and reconnaissance groups.

The drills will take place at the Brest firing range as well as in the Minsk and Viciebsk regions.

According to the defense ministry, the number of troops, weapons and military equipment involved “does not exceed the level subject to mandatory notification” required by the Vienna Document 2011 regulating inspections and visits to military units.

It also said that foreign diplomats have been invited to monitor the active phase.

The drills are held amid the full-scale war against Ukraine launched by Russia on February 24. Authorities in Minsk deny Belarusian army troops’ involvement in combat operations on the Russian side. However, Belarus allowed Russian troops and weapons to move freely through the country, use its airspace, refuel and store military equipment and attack Ukraine from its territory.

A 20,000-strong grouping of Russian forces crossed into Ukraine from Belarus at the outset of the war, Alaksandr Łukašenka told AFP in an interview on July 21. Russian troops retreated from northern Ukraine later.