The Associated Press has analyzed satellite images that indicate the presence of a newly constructed military-style camp in Belarus. These images suggest that the camp may be used to house fighters from the Wagner mercenary group. The images, provided by Planet Labs PLC, show the sudden appearance of dozens of tents within the past two weeks at a former military base outside Osipovichi. This development is significant as a satellite photo taken just weeks earlier showed no sign of these structures.
The Wagner chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin, and his fighters recently found refuge in Belarus after Minsk helped negotiate an end to an armed insurrection by the mercenary group. Belarus’ authoritarian president, Alexander Lukashenko, expressed his country’s willingness to utilize the experience and expertise of the Wagner group. He offered the fighters an “abandoned military unit” to establish their camp.
According to Aliaksandr Azarau, leader of the anti-Lukashenko BYPOL guerrilla group, construction of a site for Wagner mercenaries near Osipovichi is currently underway. Additionally, reports suggest that up to 8,000 fighters from Wagner’s private military force could be deployed in Belarus. This has prompted Ukraine to strengthen its border with Belarus.
Lukashenko has a history of allowing the Kremlin to use Belarusian territory to send troops and weapons into Ukraine. He has also welcomed a continued Russian armed presence in Belarus, including joint military camps and exercises. As of this week, 2,000 troops from regular Russian army units remain stationed in the country.
At a recent gala marking Belarusian Independence Day, Lukashenko stated that the Belarusian armed forces could benefit from training by Wagner members. He emphasized that the mercenaries posed no threat to Belarusians and claimed that Belarus would not directly involve itself in Russia’s war against Ukraine. Lukashenko also asserted his confidence in the use of nuclear weapons deployed in Belarus as a deterrent.
It is important to note that this is an Associated Press report. For further coverage of the war in Ukraine, please follow their updates at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine.
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