Russia wants to show Belarusian forces prepare to fight NATO – UK intelligence
UK intelligence has suggested that a small group of Wagner Private Military Company (PMC) instructors are involved in Belarusian military training near the Polish and Lithuanian borders.
Source: UK Defence Intelligence review on 11 August, as reported by European Pravda
Details: UK intelligence said the Belarusian Defence Ministry announced on 7 August the beginning of a training exercise conducted by the 6th Separate Guards Mechanised Brigade in Hrodna (Grodno) Oblast, an area bordering Poland and Lithuania.
Quote: "The ministry said that the exercise intended to incorporate lessons learnt by the Russian military in Ukraine. There is a realistic possibility that the Belarussian troops will be joined by a small number of Wagner Group advisors acting in a training role," UK Defence Intelligence noted.
UK intelligence added that this training looks like routine exercises planned by the Belarusian army, and it is unlikely that the formation is now deployed with the means necessary for taking part in combat missions.
"However, Russia is almost certainly keen to promote Belarussian forces as posturing against NATO," UK Defence Intelligence added.
Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 11 August 2023.
— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) August 11, 2023
Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/jicui2oblb
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Background:
- Warsaw began transferring additional forces and attack helicopters to the border with Belarus after the Minsk provocation on 1 August, when two Belarusian helicopters flew deep into Polish territory.
- On 4 August, the US and Polish defence ministers discussed the situation with the Wagner Group soldiers in Belarus. Before that, Polish and Lithuanian Foreign Ministers coordinated plans to respond to possible new provocations from Belarus, including the potential closure of the border with Belarus.
- On 10 August, Poland announced it will transfer several thousand additional troops to the border.
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