During recent military drills in Belarus, armed forces conducted a landing operation as part of a brigade level tactical exercise. The focus was on preventing the emergence or recognition of an illegal armed formation within the area of operations. The information was reported by VoenTV, the television service of the Ministry of Defense, and corroborated by the country’s military communications channels.
As described, personnel from one of the parachute units within the 103rd Airborne Brigade carried out a division-level landing exercise using airborne insertion techniques. Their objective was to disrupt and deter the potential formation of illegal armed groups, maintaining internal security and demonstrating readiness to respond swiftly to emerging threats. The operation highlighted the unit’s coordination, timing, and command and control discipline, which are essential in complex field environments. The operation took place under the brigade’s tactical exercise scenario, emphasizing rapid deployment, secure landing zones, and synchronized actions with other service elements. — Attribution: Belarusian Ministry of Defense press service
Two Mi-8MTV-5 helicopters were employed to execute the mission, providing lift and transport capabilities to move troops and equipment into the area of responsibility. Smoke screens were deployed to reduce visibility for approaching aircraft and to complicate observational awareness for potential adversaries, illustrating standard procedures to protect personnel during aerial insertion. The use of visual obscuration underscores the emphasis on safety and surprise while preserving operational security in a contested or uncertain environment. — Attribution: Belarusian Ministry of Defense press service
The Belarusian Ministry of Defense reported on March 21 that the exercises were part of a broader program of communications troop activities conducted under the leadership of Colonel Vadim Romanov, who heads the communications department of the General Staff of the Armed Forces. The mission demonstrated how signal and communications specialists integrate with maneuver elements to ensure robust command and control during rapid deployment scenarios. These exercises reflect ongoing efforts to test and refine the military’s ability to maintain secure lines of communication, synchronize air and ground operations, and support information circulation across units. — Attribution: Belarusian Ministry of Defense press service
In a separate context, Belarus and Russia conducted multiple defense-related events during 2023 to bolster the collective security posture of the Union State. The scope included more than 150 distinct activities aimed at strengthening defense capabilities, with notable joint exercises such as the Union Shield-2023. The upcoming schedule, including joint operations expected to be held in Russia from September 22 to 26, illustrated the continued emphasis on multinational coordination, interoperability of equipment and procedures, and integrated planning among allied forces. These activities align with longstanding goals of deterrence, readiness, and shared strategic objectives across the partner nations. — Attribution: Belarusian Ministry of Defense press service