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Belarus forms new air‑assault brigade near Ukraine border
Belarus is creating a 37th Separate Air‑Assault Brigade in the Gomel region, roughly 40 km from the Ukrainian frontier. Colonel Alexander Ilyukevich, commander of the Special Operations Forces, announced on state TV VoenTV that one battalion has already been formed, with officers and personnel recruited. The plan calls for a second battalion this year and the addition of artillery, air‑defence, reconnaissance and logistical support units, with the brigade to be stationed near Gomel and moved to a permanent base by 2027.
The new formation joins three existing Belarusian air‑assault brigades – the 103rd in Vitebsk, the 38th in Brest and the 5th in Maryina Horka. Ukrainian border services have reported recent Belarusian construction of training grounds and logistics centres close to the border. President Alexander Lukashenko has ordered special‑operations units to the southern border, saying the aim is to strengthen security rather than prepare for offensive action, while Minsk denies any intention to enter the war.
Entities
37th Separate Air‑Assault Brigade · Alexander Ilyukevich · Belarus · Brigade 37 Separate · Gomel Region · Ukraine
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Belarus already has three air‑assault brigades: the 103rd in Vitebsk, the 38th in Brest and the 5th in Maryina Horka. www.stiripesurse.ro · www.index.hr · www.politika.rs
- [● 4 SOURCES] Belarus plans to form a second battalion and add artillery, air‑defence, reconnaissance and logistical support units within the year. financiarul.ro · www.stiripesurse.ro · www.index.hr · www.politika.rs
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The brigade will be stationed near Gomel and is expected to move to a permanent base by 2027. www.politika.rs
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Ukrainian State Border Service reported Belarus developing new military infrastructure near the border, including training grounds and logistics centres. www.stiripesurse.ro
- [● 4 SOURCES] Belarus is forming the 37th Separate Air‑Assault Brigade in the Gomel region, about 40 km from the Ukrainian border. financiarul.ro · www.stiripesurse.ro · www.index.hr · www.politika.rs
- [○ 1 SOURCE] President Alexander Lukashenko ordered deployment of special‑operations units to the southern border, stating the aim is to strengthen security, not prepare for offensive action. www.politika.rs
- [● 4 SOURCES] One battalion of the brigade has already been formed, with officers and personnel recruited. financiarul.ro · www.stiripesurse.ro · www.index.hr · www.politika.rs
- [● 4 SOURCES] Colonel Alexander Ilyukevich announced the brigade formation on state TV VoenTV. financiarul.ro · www.stiripesurse.ro · www.index.hr · www.politika.rs