Interior ministry to get special purpose battalion to keep martial law

November 19, BPN. The Ministry of Internal Affairs will soon have a new special purpose battalion of internal troops, Deputy Interior Minister Mikałaj Karpiankoŭ has said, as quoted by SB.by.

“Taking into account the experience of internal affairs agencies, of Kazakhstan, of the special operation in Ukraine, we understand that we need to increase our combat capabilities by creating additional special units,” Karpiankoŭ said.

Stationed in Minsk, the battalion “will perform tasks to combat sabotage and reconnaissance groups and illegal armed groups, to conduct military reconnaissance and electronic reconnaissance if necessary.”

“Also, if necessary, to keep martial law, state of emergency, or legal order during a counter-terrorist operation,” the deputy minister said.

He continued by saying that the new unit would be staffed with contractors.

“This unit will emerge soon, ahead of the New Year. It will seriously strengthen the internal affairs agencies’ combat potential and combat capabilities,” he said.

The interior ministry’s special forces took an active part in suppressing protests in independent Belarus, especially in 2020.