Satellite images suggest a newly established military-style camp in Belarus, potentially for housing Wagner mercenary group fighters. The Belarusian president, Alexander Lukashenko, has indicated that the camp would be a location to harness Wagner’s military expertise. An anti-Lukashenko guerrilla group leader and Ukrainian border force spokesperson have confirmed the developments, which might lead to the deployment of up to 8,000 fighters from Wagner’s private military force in Belarus.
Key Points:
- Satellite images analyzed by The Associated Press indicate the recent establishment of a military-style camp at a former military base outside Osipovichi, Belarus.
- Belarus’ President, Alexander Lukashenko, has offered Wagner mercenary group an “abandoned military unit” to set up their camp, suggesting Belarus could leverage Wagner’s military expertise.
- Up to 8,000 fighters from Wagner’s private military force might be deployed in Belarus, according to a spokesperson for Ukraine’s border force.
- Belarus, under Lukashenko, has previously allowed the Kremlin to use its territory for sending troops and weapons into Ukraine, and has welcomed a Russian armed presence.
- As of this week, approximately 2,000 troops from regular Russian army units remain stationed in Belarus, as reported by Andriy Demchenko to the Ukrainska Pravda newspaper.
