Conflicts & War

Wagner Group mercenaries begin to train Belarussian troops

Moscow, Jul 14 (EFE).- Soldiers of Russian private military contractor (PMC) Wagner Group have begun to train Belarussian troops at a camp close to the city of Osipovichi, about 230 kms from the Ukrainian border, the Belarussian defense ministry said on Friday.

“Training involving local territorial defense units is now taking place outside Osipovichi,” the ministry said in a Telegram message, adding that the local troops were being trained in some military disciplines by instructors from PMC Wagner.

The ministry also released a video of the training featuring comments by Belarussian solders about the mercenaries.

One of the soldiers said it was a useful experience for the military because the Wagnerites had taken part in combat, while the Belarussian military has not seen action since the Soviet-Afghan war in the 1980s.

He said the mercenaries were well-trained and could teach them many things.

Another soldier said that in this day and age it was necessary to carry out this type of military preparations.

Earlier this week, the Belarussian defense ministry announced that it was planning to utilize the arrival of Wagner units in the country for an “experience-exchange” between its troops and the Russian private contractors.

A week ago, Minsk confirmed that the Wagner mercenaries, who were ordered to move to Belarus after their failed mutiny in Russia on Jun. 24, had still not arrived at the base designated for them.

Belarussian President Aleksandr Lukashenko had previously said that the Wagner Group was the most-experienced in combat situations and could help defend Belarus if the country is attacked. EFE

mos/ia

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