Territorial troops starting one-month drill in Minsk region

June 26, BPN. Territorial troops reservists will have a drill in the Salihorsk district, Minsk region, from June 27 to July 21, the defense ministry’s press office reported.

They will “carry out tasks in accordance with the military qualifications and functional designation,” while training to defend the area, it added. Officers will refresh their commanding skills and practice setting up and managing people’s militia units.

A command-staff exercise involving the district’s territorial defense forces will conclude the drill.

Similar drills are being held in the Łuniniec district, Brest region, from June 8 to 28, with a command-staff exercise scheduled to start on June 26.

Territorial troops are formed of reservists and are called up in wartime or in times of military and political tensions to assist the army.

A month ago, Defense Minister Viktar Chrenin announced that territorial defense “is being transformed from a support system into a full-fledged combat one.”

On June 15, Belarusian MPs passed the second reading of the people’s militia bill, authorizing people’s militias to use physical force and weapons while assisting the interior ministry’s forces.