Combat readiness test scenarios for Belarusian internal troops brigade explained

“A massive inspection is underway. Based on its results, our readiness to act in special conditions will be evaluated. The goal of the exercise is to identify problem areas. I draw your attention to the fact that when we make decisions in our areas of responsibility, time is always measured in hours rather than days. Coordination and promptness must be prioritized above everything else,” the minister stressed during the conference.

He noted that after mass media distributed the news about special tasks for the 7th Separate Special Police Brigade in Vitebsk Oblast, the reserve – veterans of the internal affairs bodies and the Internal Troops of the Internal Affairs Ministry – got in touch, saying they are ready to return to service.

The tasks were set by the minister in the presence of Commander of the Internal Troops Nikolai Karpenkov, Chief of the Criminal Police Gennady Kazakevich, and Deputy Internal Affairs Minister Dmitry Korzyuk.

In accordance with the instruction, a number of scenarios are being played out in Vitebsk Oblast. In Liozno and Dubrovno units are searching for unidentified individuals with backpacks who left items on railway tracks. The SWAT teams Vityaz [Knight] and Rys [Lynx] of the Internal Troops of the Internal Affairs Ministry have been deployed for the search operation. Main efforts are focused on inspecting the railway track and the adjacent area using UAVs, foot and mobile patrols.

Another scenario involves information about intruders traveling in two off-road vehicles without registration plates and intent on breaching the state border.

According to the concept, the 7th Separate Special Police Brigade will also have to act under other scenarios in a deteriorating operational situation.

The minister tasked the chief of the criminal police with providing prompt assistance, including by deploying assets of the Criminal Intelligence Department, the Central Office for Fighting Organized Crime and Corruption (GUBOPiK), and the Central Office of Internal Security (GUSB). The leadership of the Vitebsk Oblast Police Department was instructed to reinforce State Traffic Inspectorate patrols and to make maximum use of and (in some population centers) increase capabilities of cameras of the Republican Public Safety Monitoring System.

The internal affairs minister drew attention to taking care of the personnel. The commander of the internal troops was instructed to check the logistics component: the availability of dry rations and rain capes for military personnel in case of worsening weather conditions as well as other everyday matters. It was stressed that the officers must not lack anything.

After the conference Ivan Kubrakov left for Vitebsk Oblast to visit military units and inspect the implementation of the tasks set by the head of state.