New images of Wagner camp in Belarus: about 35 semi-trailers, hundreds of cars and trucks

These close-ups show, on the July 16 @Maxar optical image, 10 cargo trucks and five buses in a vehicle storage area, and on the July 21 @umbraspace radar image many vehicles including likely pickup trucks, minivans, cars and heavy lift trailers. pic.twitter.com/O3EfOZQNDl

— Christiaan Triebert (@trbrtc) July 21, 2023

This is reported by The New York Times journalist Christiaan Triebert.

"Fresh satellite imagery from Maxar, captured today, of the Tsel garrison in Belarus, commonly referred to as the “Wagner camp.” Taken slightly off-nadir or “at an oblique angle,” as described by Maxar, it shows hundreds of cars, small trucks and around 35 semi-trailers," writes Triebert.

The Belarusian Hajun monitoring group reported that the photos confirm the preliminary conclusion that the green area, to the right of the improvised truck parking lot, was completely filled already on July 22.

  "In the southern part of the image, you can also see construction equipment that was seen in at least two columns: the 3rd from July 17 and the 8th from July 19. Directly adjacent to the fence to the north is a cemetery, which allows for quick delivery to the destination, and the surrounding forest cover provides unlimited opportunities for expansion," the statement explained.

Recent optical and radar imagery, courtesy of @Maxar and @umbraspace, reveal dozens, if not hundreds, of newly arrived vehicles and equipment at the Wagner garrison in Tsel, Belarus. Optical image is from July 16, radar image is from July 21, 10:21 local time. pic.twitter.com/cIchs2d5iv

— Christiaan Triebert (@trbrtc) July 21, 2023

How the Wagner soldiers ended up in Belarus

After the mutiny of Wagner PMC leader Yevgeny Prigozhin in late June, the Kremlin announced the relocation of Wagner mercenaries to Belarus.

On June 27, self-proclaimed President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko confirmed the arrival of Yevgeny Prigozhin in the country. According to him, Wagner mercenaries  who arrived with him will not guard the Russian tactical nuclear weapons deployed there. However, Lukashenko emphasized that he expects the mercenaries to help in the defense of Belarus, without specifying the potential source of the country's perceived threat.

On June 29, a satellite recorded the construction of a tent camp near Asipovichy in the Mogilev region of Belarus, and on July 3, Russian media published a photo of an alleged Wagner camp.

On July 11, the Belarusian Ministry of Defense stated that the Wagner mercenaries would train the Belarusian army.

On July 14, media reported that training sessions with units of the territorial troops were taking place near Asipovichy (Belarus), where Wagner PMC fighters were acting as instructors in some military disciplines.

On the morning of July 15, a large convoy of cars and trucks with license plates of the so-called DPR and LPR was spotted in Belarus. Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service confirmed that those were mercenaries of the Wagner PMC.

On Sunday, July 16, the Belarusian Hajun monitoring group reported that two flags - of Russia and the Wagner PMC - had been installed at the checkpoint on the border between Belarus and Russia.

Wagner Group announced that on July 30, their main base in the Russian Federation, located in the village of Molkino in Krasnodar Krai, would be closed.

On July 19, a sixth convoy with Wagner PMC fighters arrived in Belarus.

On July 19, Wagner PMC financier Yevgeny Prigozhin addressed Wagner fighters in Belarus, calling the situation at the front a "disgrace" and urging mercenaries to "wait for the moment to show their full potential."

Later, on July 23, the self-proclaimed president of Belarus Lukashenko said Wagner fighters stationed in his country wanted to "go on an excursion" to Poland. Shortly after, it was reported that the tenth convoy of Wagner fighters had arrived in Belarus, including at least ten units of equipment.