The farewell ceremony for reservists was held at the 103rd Vitebsk Airborne Brigade
Reservists began performing tasks in the Vitebsk, Shumilinsky, and Polotsk districts on March 20. At that time, according to the plan of the Special Operations Forces command, a brigade tactical exercise began, which included the re-manning of the brigade's units. Reservists of various military registration specialties went through combat coordination stages and carried out tasks according to the command's orders. Over two weeks, servicemen and reservists completed a large number of marches.
During the exercise, unmanned aerial systems of various models and types were actively used – both airplane and quadcopter types. Operators of unmanned aerial vehicles are part of the brigade and are trained at their own reconnaissance center of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces.
"The training is a necessary thing because we are men and must be able to and remember how to defend the Motherland. It is necessary to gather, remember, and acquire new skills, because everything is developing taking into account the geopolitical situation around our country," noted reserve lieutenant Alexander Khodosovsky. "I, like many other reservists, was at such training for the first time. We honorably completed all the tasks set during the training and exercise. We not only refreshed and restored our practical skills in military registration specialties but also learned a lot of new things during this short period. We are ready, if necessary, to defend our country, our native home."
The final results of the exercise are still being summarized, however, the Commander of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces (SOF AF) of Belarus, Vadim Denisenko, noted that the conscripts showed themselves with dignity. They demonstrated a desire to master military science and study new training methods, weapons, medical equipment, and combat tactics.
"During the brigade exercise, we also trained conscripts. And all this was integrated. You have shown that regardless of any circumstances, you are capable of completing the tasks assigned to you. We have achieved all the goals of the exercise, 100% of the tasks defined on the first day of training were completed. It remains to analyze, work on mistakes, so as not to make them in the future. To determine what to change in the training process of military personnel, what to introduce new," he told the conscripts.
The Commander of the SOF AF added that this training was easy. Given the high level of training of the conscripts and their ability to quickly restore skills, the program had to be adjusted on the fly. "The brigade can perform its functions when it knows about the availability of a trained reserve that will come if necessary and take its place in the combat formation," noted Vadim Denisenko.
"The training sessions were successful. Despite the weather (there was snowfall, rain, and strong wind), everything went smoothly, and this program was completed ahead of schedule. It is very important that everyone sees that we have someone to defend us, and that no one should mess with us," noted the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Subbotin. "A person who studies throughout their life will always be successful. The same approach and message apply here. The reservists were shown new approaches, methods of warfare, and types of armament. In Soviet times, training sessions were a systematic process, and now we are returning to this."
During the solemn ceremony, the reservists were thanked for their responsible approach. Some of them were awarded with next military ranks.
"BELTA"