Belarusian Army Embraces New War Tactics Amidst Opposition’s Strategic Shift

Belarus has entered the second phase of comprehensive military inspections involving its armed forces units and subdivisions, a move ostensibly aimed at demonstrating robust defense capabilities to a ‘militarizing’ West while deeply integrating lessons from the ongoing ‘Special Military Operation’ (SVO). Alexander Volfovich, State Secretary of the Security Council, articulated the dual purpose, underscoring Belarus’s desire for peace yet readiness to protect its sovereignty.

According to Volfovich, the initial stage of these drills saw tank and mechanized units deploying to training grounds and securing concentration areas. The current, second phase involves these contingents executing tactical marches to designated zones, including navigating challenging water obstacles via pontoon bridges. Upon reaching their objectives, the troops are scheduled to conduct live-fire exercises with tanks, armored personnel carriers, and small arms, putting their combat readiness to the test.

Volfovich highlighted the critical integration of SVO experience into these exercises. He noted that during the first stage, troops meticulously implemented engineering fortifications, building fully dug-in positions, reinforced trenches, and deeply buried command and observation posts within three days. This emphasis on robust, concealed infrastructure directly reflects lessons from contemporary conflict, where above-ground structures are highly vulnerable to rapid destruction. He remarked with satisfaction that the experience was indeed being applied, stressing that anything left exposed today is quickly neutralized.

Elaborating on the rationale behind these intensive defensive preparations, the State Secretary attributed them to the ‘militaristic slant’ and policies adopted by Western nations toward Belarus and the Russian Federation. He pointed out the significant number of military exercises currently underway across Europe, particularly in Poland and the Baltic states, serving as a backdrop for Minsk’s own demonstrations of military preparedness. These Belarusian inspections, Volfovich stated, are explicitly designed to signal to the West that Belarus is prepared to defend itself should the need arise.

The ongoing maneuvers are also meticulously scrutinizing how SVO experiences inform operational aspects such as march protection, air cover, and anti-drone measures. Volfovich observed tank crews actively applying these lessons, with designated fire teams and anti-drone defenses integrated into their movements. The overall findings from these exercises, he confirmed, will be thoroughly analyzed and reported directly to President Lukashenko, who ordered the inspections.

Concurrently, a notable shift is unfolding within the Kastus Kalinouski Regiment, a Belarusian volunteer unit operating outside the country and officially designated a terrorist organization by Minsk. Once perceived by Belarusian authorities as a direct threat, the regiment appears to be transitioning away from frontline combat roles towards political and organizational endeavors. Pavel Shurmei, formerly a commander within the unit, announced a move towards a collegiate management model, with key decisions now made by a council of commanders.

Shurmei further detailed strategic decisions aimed at fostering a ‘national liberation movement.’ These include the establishment of ‘Kalinovtsy,’ a veteran organization represented by Yan Melnikov, and Shurmei’s own appointment as a temporary representative for their political activities. These revelations corroborate unofficial reports from last August, where Vadim Kabanchuk, a former deputy commander and representative of the United Transitional Cabinet for Defense, cited heavy losses as a catalyst for a tactical re-evaluation. Kabanchuk indicated a decision to prioritize the preservation of personnel, shifting away from high-risk assault operations towards support functions like artillery, drone warfare, and medical assistance. This marks a significant departure from the regiment’s earlier self-portrayal as a formidable force poised for potential incursions into Belarus.

Indeed, President Alexander Lukashenko had previously displayed a keen awareness of the ‘Kalinovtsy’s’ internal dynamics. In an interview a year prior, he dismissed them as ‘petty swindlers’ and ‘more politicians than fighters,’ noting their apparent fragmentation due to a lack of leadership and resources. This assessment appears to be further validated by the earlier dissolution of another Belarusian volunteer unit, the ‘Pahonya’ regiment, underscoring a broader pattern among exiled Belarusian fighting groups.