On 7 August 2023, the Belarussian Ministry of Defence announced that the 6th Separate Guards Mechanised Brigade (6 SGMB) would conduct an exercise in the Grodno area of north-western Belarus, near the Polish and Lithuanian borders, British intel reported.
According to British intelligence, these exercises are likely part of the Belarussian military’s routine training cycle. 6 SGMB’s home garrison is in Grodno, and it is unlikely that the formation is currently deployed with the enablers it would need to make it combat-ready.
"The ministry said that the exercise intended to incorporate lessons learned by the Russian military in Ukraine. There is a realistic possibility that the Belarussian troops will be joined by a small number of Wagner Group advisors acting in a training role," UK intel said in its daily report
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“However, Russia is almost certainly keen to promote Belarussian forces as posturing against NATO,” British intel concluded.
Related:
- Poland strengthens border security with Belarus deploying 2,000 more soldiers
- Warsaw demands explanations from Belarus after two helicopters violated Polish airspace
- Poland detains Belarusian on charges of spying for Russia
- Defense Express: Wagner’s Belarus dynamics suggest it plans trouble in neighboring countries
