Interior minister orders formation of another special unit

November 2, Pozirk. Interior Minister Ivan Kubrakoŭ has ordered the organization of the Tornado special unit, his deputy Mikałaj Karpiankoŭ has announced.

It will be based at Military Unit 3310 in Akolica near Minsk, the Telegram channel linked to the interior ministry troops reports.

Eight special forces units have been established across Belarus “to improve our combat capabilities,” Karpiankoŭ said. Their personnel are training hard under the guidance of experienced instructors, he added.

Earlier reports said that the Belarusian military and police employed Russia’s Wagner Group fighters as military instructors.

In late July, Kubrakoŭ discussed “interaction” and “the use of certain types of equipment” with Wagner members, confirming that Belarusian officers were learning from their “practical experience.”

Interior ministry troops were involved in suppressing mass protests against election fraud in 2020 and smaller protests more recently.