Minsk said Friday that members of the Russian mercenary force Wagner were acting as military instructors for Belarusian territorial defence forces, three weeks after the group’s aborted mutiny in Russia.
“Near Asipovichy, units of territorial defence troops are undergoing training,” the Belarusian defence ministry said.
The ministry said the forces were learning skills including tactical shooting, moving on the battlefield, engineering and tactical medicine.
[Lukashenko needs all the help he can get in that regard. As poorly as Russia’s military performs, the operating assumption is that Belarus’ forces are in even worse shape. However, this is a curious task for mercenaries as opposed to military professionals. That also has its own risks if the mercs in question are suffering from low morale after having been exiled after an aborted rebellion against the Kremlin. — Ed]
Join the conversation as a VIP Member