Belarus to Inspect People’s Militia and Territorial Defence

Reform.news Editorial Team · 16 October 2026, 13:03

https://reform.news/en/belarus-to-inspect-people-s-militia-and-territorial-defence/

Belarus will conduct an inspection of its people’s militia and territorial defence forces. Aliaksandr Lukashenka announced the plans during a visit to the Verkhnyadzvinsk District.

“In the near future, we will shake up this entire system across the country — this chain of command — to inspect it. We will see how the people’s militia operates and how territorial defence functions. Territorial defence will protect major life-support facilities within the districts. Naturally, these functions will also overlap. The people’s militia was my initiative. Every village council — covering up to 20 villages where people live — must have a core unit. God forbid the enemy comes: these people must be able to protect themselves and their families,” he said, according to his press service.

As a reminder, Belarus previously conducted a surprise combat-readiness inspection of army units. At one stage, orders were transmitted directly from Lukashenka, bypassing the Defence Ministry. An inspection of the internal troops was subsequently carried out.

Today, Lukashenka watched a training exercise by a militia unit established in the Verkhnyadzvinsk District at the Krasny Bor hunting estate owned by businessman Mikalai Varabei, who is close to the president.