{"id":193059,"date":"2026-06-23T20:12:06","date_gmt":"2026-06-23T17:12:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/193059\/"},"modified":"2026-06-23T20:12:08","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T17:12:08","slug":"police-to-hold-drills-in-viciebsk-recyca","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/193059\/","title":{"rendered":"Police to hold drills in Viciebsk, Re\u010dyca"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

June 23, Pozirk.<\/em> <\/strong>Police in Viciebsk and in Re\u010dyca, Homiel region, are expected to hold drills on June 23 and 24.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Announcing the exercise in Viciebsk, scheduled for June 23 and 24, the interior ministry described it as a test of police readiness to ensure public order during S\u0142avianski Bazar, an annual music festival that will take place between July 14 and July 20 this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Traffic restrictions may be in place at the center of the city during the drill. The ministry warned that people might hear explosions and gunshots near the festival\u2019s main venue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Re\u010dyca district government\u2019s newspaper Dniaproviec<\/em> warned that local residents might hear gunshots and explosions early on June 24. The newspaper added that people should not worry or respond in any way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Police are being trained to prevent a repeat of the 2020 protests, Interior Minister Ivan Kubrako\u016d said during a drill in Mahilo\u016d on May 27, referring to the massive peaceful demonstrations against alleged fraud in the presidential election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kubrako\u016d stressed that police officers should not hesitate to use firearms \u201cif someone is trying to commit mayhem\u201d against security forces deployed to suppress riots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the interior ministry, during the Mahilo\u016d drill officers practiced making arrests, preventing traffic blockades, stopping a bus carrying \u201cextremist-minded citizens,\u201d neutralizing groups accused of disturbing public order and freeing hostages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One video published by the ministry showed women dressed in white and holding flowers while acting as demonstrators \u2014 imagery reminiscent of the peaceful protests of 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Police conducted a similar drill in Viciebsk on April 23 and 24 and in Baranavi\u010dy, Brest region, on June 4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the 2020 post-election protests were largely peaceful, police used brutal force to disperse them and arrest participants. Several protesters were killed, but their deaths have not been investigated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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