The Belarusian National Guard in collaboration with the Ministry of Internal Affairs conducted a specialized forces drill in the Murmansk region, with footage released by TASS showcasing several tactical maneuver sequences. The event underscored ongoing efforts by security services to test rapid response, rescue operations, and Arctic adaptation in demanding cold weather conditions. The release provides a window into the training routines that emphasize proficiency across a spectrum of crisis scenarios and high-intensity field activity.
The recorded training emphasized victim extraction following simulated avalanches in the Khibiny area and demonstrated essential Arctic survival skills. The exercises illustrated how teams assess risks, implement rapid search and rescue procedures, and apply survival techniques required for extreme northern environments. The portrayal of these drills aims to highlight the readiness and resilience of personnel when faced with adverse weather and rough terrain.
In the footage, soldiers dressed in white winter gear move along a snowbound track on skis and snowmobiles, maintaining speed and coordination while engaging targets during motion. The scenes convey how personnel sustain situational awareness and precision in a low-visibility setting, key competencies for operations conducted under winter conditions and in remote zones.
One sequence depicts a trainee briefly breaking through ice, followed by a coordinated effort from teammates to secure the individual and provide immediate assistance. The group then receives evacuation support via helicopter, illustrating integrated logistics and rapid mobility as part of a seamless response chain from field to extraction.
The video also shows an assault element approaching a simulated adversary camp set within snowbound terrain, followed by engagement that leads to a controlled confrontation. These moments demonstrate tactical planning, close-quarters movement, and the discipline required to neutralize threats while maintaining safety protocols for personnel and equipment in a cold-weather environment.
As the operation concludes, the video spotlights the participants who played pivotal roles in the exercise, with formal recognitions reflecting the emphasis on teamwork, execution, and professional development within the units involved. The closing sequence reinforces the value placed on achievement and readiness.
Earlier reports highlighted allied exercises such as the NATO drills Crystal Arrow 2023 and the Baltic national Strong Wolf 2023 that took place in Latvia. These events involved thousands of personnel and featured multinational participation from Latvia, the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom, with involvement in a broader NATO defense posture.
Estimates suggest that about 3,000 military personnel spanning multiple nations participated in these drills, with ongoing participation in the larger NATO response framework and enhanced deterrence measures across the alliance’s eastern flank. The exercises leveraged a range of platforms and capabilities to test interoperability, command and control, and rapid deployment.
Air support played a notable role in these operations, including the use of AH-64 Apache attack helicopters to project force and enhance airborne strike capabilities within the exercise scenarios. The integration of air power underscored the emphasis on joint operations and mixed-domain coordination to achieve training objectives in complex environments.
In nearby Norway, partner exercises labeled Viking were conducted under the NATO umbrella. Leaders framed these drills as a clear signal of the alliance’s readiness to respond to threats on the northern flank, reinforcing collective defense commitments and the ability to deter aggression through credible, sustained training and deterrence campaigns.