Wagner PMC mercenaries build fortifications at Belarus’ training ground 

On August 2, the Belarusian service of Radio Liberty reported the information based on the results of an analysis of an exclusive satellite image of this training ground dated July 31, 2023, acquired from the Planet Labs service.

The images show the construction of numerous fortifications, possibly dugouts, along with objects resembling cars and light gray UAZ minibuses and bulldozers engaged in the construction work.

"On July 29, the Ministry of Defense of Belarus reported joint exercises at this training ground of the 51st Artillery Brigade together with Wagner PMC instructors. It was reported that ‘fire missions were performed using quadcopters’," the statement said.

Recently, a video showing the construction of a fortified forest camp was posted on one of the Telegram channels associated with Wagner PMC mercenaries.

"The dugouts there are equipped with small stoves, so the camp may be suitable for living in the cold season. It was not possible to pinpoint the exact location of the shooting," the report said.

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. 

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, 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, self-appointed President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko announced the desire of the mercenaries from the Russian Wagner PMC to "go on an excursion" to Poland. 

On July 27, the National Resistance Center reported that Wagner PMC units were looking for people in Belarus who were ready to fight against Lithuania and Poland. Also the same day Belarusian Hajun monitoring group reported that the twelfth column of Wagner's PMC, which included at least 50 pieces of equipment, had arrived in Belarus.

On July 28, the Center for National Resistance warned that Wagner mercenaries were preparing provocations on the border of Belarus with the EU. Also that day, the 13th column of mercenaries was spotted in Belarus.

On July 29, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced that more than 100 Wagner fighters had gone to the Suwalki corridor.

On July 31, it became known that the Wagner PMC had suspended the work of its regional recruitment centers "indefinitely." And Prigozhin revoked the vacations of employees and ordered them to arrive in Belarus by August 5.

Another location of Wagner PMC was discovered in Belarus near Asipovichy, where mercenaries are using warehouses.