Belarus expands its military with new airborne brigade near Ukraine
Belarus is forming a new air assault unit near the border with Ukraine (photo: Getty Images)
Belarus establishes a new airborne brigade near its border with Ukraine, according to Aliaksandr Iliukevich, commander of the Special Operations Forces of the Belarusian Armed Forces.
"We have already begun forming new military units. One battalion has already been established. This year, we will form another battalion, along with combat support units, artillery, air defense, and reconnaissance units," Iliukevich said in an interview with the Belarusian Defense Ministry TV channel.
Units to be added by year-end
The commander noted that Belarus plans to establish the following by the end of this year:
- A second battalion for the new brigade
- Combat support units
- Artillery units
- Air defense units
- Reconnaissance units.
So far, officers have already been assigned to the new brigade, and personnel have been called up.
The unit will be stationed near Gomel, a Belarusian city located close to the Ukrainian border.
Earlier, despite repeated statements about alleged security threats along the border, Belarusian officials unexpectedly said they saw no signs of aggression and described the situation as stable.
Previously, media also reported that Russia's Oreshnik missile now contains almost no foreign-made components, with a significant share of its parts being manufactured in Belarus.
