Following an order from Alexander Lukashenko, a new phase of checks on the army’s combat readiness has begun in Belarus. The 51st Guards Artillery Brigade, which is under central command, has been placed on full combat alert, and some of its units are to be mobilised and brought up to wartime strength.
Briefly about the main points
- The unit was placed on the highest level of combat readiness.
- The assessment comprises mobilisation procedures and fieldwork.
- The audit will cover all levels of management, from the Ministry of Defence down to the units.
- The command is studying the lessons learnt from Russia’s war against Ukraine.
- There is no confirmed link between the events and John Ratcliffe’s visit.
Mobilisation and the command and control system are being reviewed
State Secretary of the Security Council Alexander Wolfovich issued instructions to the Minister of Defence To Viktor Khrenin. Commander of the formation Serhiy Chaiko He reported that the order to go on high alert had been received on the afternoon of 24 August, after which the unit began preparations to carry out its assigned tasks.
According to the plan, military personnel are to undergo a full range of mobilisation measures, and some personnel will be operating in field conditions. The inspection will cover not only the formation but also the chain of command — from the Ministry of Defence down to individual units.
The command stated that it had taken the war against Ukraine into account
According to Volfovich, the exercise will focus on modern methods of warfare. The Belarusian command is analysing the experience gained from Russia’s war against Ukraine and from military operations in the Middle East.
The military are practising fire support, troop manoeuvres and decentralised command. In Minsk, the exercise was described as part of the plan for the second half of 2026. From January to March, the country had already conducted a large-scale readiness exercise involving various branches of the armed forces and the reserves.
The CIA Director’s visit to Moscow began later
Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency John Ratcliffe arrived in Moscow On 25 August, he made an unannounced visit. The following day, the Kremlin confirmed his presence in Russia and reported that contacts had taken place between the American and Russian security services, without disclosing the content of the meetings.
The Belarusian measures began a day earlier. The Belarusian authorities did not link the inspection to Retcliffe’s visit or to contacts between Washington and Moscow, so no direct link between these events has been confirmed.
At the same time, Belarus is conducting exercises involving its air defence and garrison units
From 25 to 27 August, tactical and specialised exercises involving military garrison units are taking place across the country. Exercises involving the Air Force and air defence forces have also commenced; the first phase of these involves protecting facilities and troops from air strikes and manoeuvres by anti-aircraft missile units.
The second phase of the Air Force and Air Defence Forces exercises will take place at the Russian Ashuluk training ground in the Astrakhan Region and will include live-fire exercises by the air force and anti-aircraft missile forces. These exercises have separate objectives and formats from the artillery unit inspection.
