Russian Armed Forces Deploy Personnel, Weapons and Equipment for Planned Rotation in Belarus

The personnel, weapons and equipment of the combined arms and tank formations of the Russian Armed Forces are arriving in Belarus as part of the planned rotation of the regional group of forces (RGV). This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic.

“Currently, in the interests of increasing the defense capability of the Union State, the implementation of measures to increase the combat capabilities of formations and military units on the territory of the Republic of Belarus continues. The delivery of the next set of the S-400 anti-aircraft missile system to the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus from the territory of the Russian Federation has been completed. In addition, a planned rotation of military units and subunits of the Russian component of the RGV is being carried out. Personnel, weapons and equipment from the combined arms and tank formations of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation arrive on the territory of the Republic of Belarus in a combined way, – the message says.

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko On October 10, 2022, he announced the beginning of the formation, within the framework of agreements with Moscow, of a regional grouping of troops, the basis of which will be Belarusian military personnel. Minsk announced the arrival of the first echelons with Russian military personnel in the republic in mid-October.

Ministers of Defense of Belarus and Russia Viktor Khrenin and Sergei Shoigu On December 3, 2022, a protocol was signed in Minsk on amending the agreement between the two countries concluded in December 1997 on the joint provision of regional security in the military sphere. The document, among other things, specifies the procedure for planning and financing measures to ensure the functioning of the WGR.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin following the talks with Lukashenko held in the Belarusian capital on December 19, 2022, he said that Moscow and Minsk would continue the practice of joint exercises and other combat training events, including within the framework of the RGV. In early January, the Ministry of Defense of Belarus announced the continued build-up of the group, as well as its readiness to perform tasks to protect the Union State.