President Lukashenko Oversees Surprise Military Check
On February 13, 2026, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko carried out a snap inspection of the Armed Forces' combat readiness at the 227th combined arms training ground in the Borisov District of the Minsk region. This unannounced visit is part of a broader, large-scale inspection of the Belarusian military that commenced on January 16, 2026, and is slated to continue until spring.
The primary objective of these sudden measures is to gain an objective understanding of the troops' actual state and to evaluate the performance of military personnel. President Lukashenko is personally supervising the entire process, notably bypassing the conventional decision-making channels of the Defense Ministry and the General Staff. He issues classified directives, which are then delivered to the designated military units by Aleksandr Volfovich, the State Secretary of the Security Council.
On-Site Assessment and Official Statements
Upon his arrival at the training ground, President Lukashenko received a report on the inspection's progress from Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin, who was reportedly informed of the President's unexpected visit only at 7 a.m. that day. State Secretary Volfovich reported to Lukashenko that 'The army is capable of fighting. All marches were completed, no personnel or equipment were lost along the way.'
During his visit, the President engaged with military personnel, inspected the battalion's command observation post, and observed various inspection activities. Discussions also covered the living conditions provided for the soldiers. Lukashenko emphasized the critical importance of such inspections for maintaining a high level of troop training, stating, 'Everyone is being tested. Even the defense minister and the state secretary.' He further added, 'This winter, we'll put everyone to the test,' and cautioned, 'I'm not saying it will happen tomorrow. But I can't say it won't happen at all,' underscoring the need for constant preparedness.
Focus on Modern Warfare and Soldier Welfare
The inspection methodology incorporates combat experience gleaned from contemporary military conflicts, with a particular emphasis on addressing modern threats such as unmanned aerial vehicles and implementing electronic countermeasures. This approach aims to refine the Belarusian army's capabilities in a rapidly evolving security landscape.
President Lukashenko also visited a dugout where personnel are housed, remarking, 'This is a resort for you,' while recalling the significantly harsher conditions he experienced during his own military service. He stressed the necessity of providing soldiers with all essential provisions to fulfill their duties, advising them to 'Learn, keep learning. Learn just in case. If you know how to do everything, you'll stay alive.'
Broader Context of Military Assessments
This presidential inspection is distinct from a separate, scheduled combat readiness check initiated by the Defense Ministry on January 27, 2026. The ongoing series of military assessments in Belarus is viewed by analysts as a means for Minsk to verify its armed forces' readiness and potentially to gauge the responses of neighboring states, particularly in light of regional tensions. Units previously subjected to inspection as part of the wider assessment include:
- 19th Separate Guards Mechanized Brigade
- 72nd Guards Joint Training Center
- 38th Separate Guards Air Assault Brigade
- 103rd Vitebsk Airborne Brigade
- 120th Separate Guards Mechanized Brigade
- 11th Separate Guards Mechanized Brigade
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