SLONIM DISTRICT, 10 February (BelTA) – The 11th Independent Guards Mechanized Brigade in the town of Slonim has been put on alert as part of the Belarusian army’s inspection authorized by the president, BelTA has learned.
Vadim Ilnitsky, commanding officer of the 11th Independent Guards Mechanized Brigade, noted that in accordance with the Belarus president’s instruction some assets of the brigade have been prepared to carry out missions. “It is a task that we carry out all the time. It was definitely unexpected but we are ready for this task and we will carry it out,” the commanding officer said. “At the moment the forces and assets that are engaged in the inspection have redeployed to mission areas.”
“The main task of the column is to march at the appointed time, reach the designated fortified area, occupy it, and prepare it for defense. While on the march the troops must be ready to repel attacks by enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups and to repel aerial attacks by unmanned aerial vehicles,” added Vadim Ilnitsky.
One of the servicemen of the 11th Guards Mechanized Brigade recounted how he and his colleagues acted after receiving the first instructions: “The day began as usual. We were supposed to have classes. After receiving the signal, everyone quickly geared up and went to get ammunition. Mechanics, drivers, and gunners went to prepare the vehicles. We train constantly and are always prepared, and this kind of weather is never a hindrance for us. The vehicles are ready, everything has been serviced. We are ready for anything.”
According to Aleksandr Neverovsky, Deputy State Secretary of the Security Council of Belarus, the first immediate response unit met the standards and moved to its designated area to carry out the assigned task. The servicemen will also have to complete shooting tests and physical fitness tests.
“Our main goal is, of course, to figure out and understand how ready our Armed Forces are to carry out their tasks in modern conditions taking into account the special military operation that is taking place in Ukraine. Today we are conducting this training session in difficult weather conditions, with temperatures at 20C below zero. At the same time, the personnel are motivated and ready to carry out their tasks. Certainly, there are caveats and they are primarily related to weather conditions: in such cold temperatures many tasks are accomplished slightly more slowly compared to warmer temperatures,” said Aleksandr Neverovsky, emphasizing that on the whole, the units are coping with the tasks assigned to them and the standards by which they must perform these tasks. “Of course, there are certain shortcomings. But that is why these exercises are held to identify them and eliminate them in a timely manner,” he added.
“We are not going to attack anyone. And, as the president says, we will not give up a single meter of our land. This is why the main task is to defend our country. And the task for the brigade that is operating in the field today is to occupy the designated area and set up defenses in accordance with instructions of their commander,” said Aleksandr Neverovsky. “Today we see threats practically along the entire perimeter of the Republic of Belarus, with the exception of the Russian Federation. Unfortunately, our NATO neighbors, just tens of kilometers from here, are concentrating their efforts, setting up new units and military training areas, which could serve as launch pads for aggression against our country.”
BelTA reported earlier that the large-scale inspection of the Armed Forces authorized by the head of state began on 16 January. The commander-in-chief closely follows its progress. A new system has been worked out to enable the president to place military units on combat alert without involving the Defense Ministry and the General Staff. The primary goal of this inspection is to see an objective picture. This is why the events are sudden.
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