Analysis of Satellite Images and Reports Indicate Belarus Constructing Camp for Wagner Mercenaries

Satellite imagery interpreted by Big Big News on Saturday reveal the possible construction of a military-style camp in Belarus. Both the Belarusian guerrilla group and officials hint that this might be a shelter for Wagner mercenary group fighters.

The satellite images supplied by Planet Labs PLC imply the recent construction of several tents at a former military base near Osipovichi, a town 230 kilometers (142 miles) north of the Ukrainian border. The comparison of satellite photographs from Jun. 15 and Jun. 30 clearly shows the emergence of white and green structures which were not previously present.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Wagner group leader, along with his mercenaries, managed to evade prosecution. They found sanctuary in Belarus last week after a successful negotiation mediated by Minsk to end what seemed like a mutiny by the mercenary group. This unsuccessful revolt involved Wagner soldiers seizing a military base in southern Russia and marching towards Moscow unopposed for hundreds of kilometers (miles).

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Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, an authoritarian figure, stated that Belarus, a dependent ally of Moscow, could harness the expertise of Wagner’s fighters. He mentioned providing the group an “abandoned military unit” for their camp.

Aliaksandr Azarau, the head of BYPOL, an anti-Lukashenko guerrilla group consisting of ex-military members, informed Big Big News over the phone on Thursday that the construction of a site near Osipovichi for Wagner mercenaries was in progress.

A Ukraine border force spokesman suggested to Ukrainian media on Saturday that as many as 8,000 fighters from the Wagner private military could be stationed in Belarus. Andriy Demchenko, speaking to the Ukrainska Pravda newspaper, announced that in response, Ukraine would fortify its 1,084 kilometre (674 mile) border with Belarus.

Lukashenko previously facilitated Kremlin’s move to dispatch troops and weapons into Ukraine via Belarusian territory. He has also supported continuous Russian military presence in Belarus, including joint military bases, drills, and the deployment of some of Russia’s tactical nuclear weapons.

On Saturday, Demchenko reported to Ukrainska Pravda that around 2,000 troops from standard Russian army units were currently stationed in Belarus.

At a Friday event celebrating Belarusian Independence Day, Lukashenko claimed that the Belarusian armed forces could gain valuable training from Wagner members and insisted that the mercenaries pose no threat to the Belarusian people.

He also confidently declared that Belarus would not have to resort to using the nuclear weapons stationed in its territory and would avoid direct involvement in Moscow’s war with Ukraine.

“As we age, we are more certain that (nuclear weapons) should be stationed in a secure location in Belarus. And I am confident that while in possession of them, we will never have to employ them, and the enemy will never breach our borders,” Lukashenko stated.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Belarus Wagner Mercenary Camp

More about Belarus Wagner Mercenary Camp

• Belarus and the Wagner Group
• Satellite Imagery Analysis
• Wagner Mercenaries
• Alexander Lukashenko’s Stance on Wagner Group
• Belarus-Russia Relations