The Emergency Ministry unveiled a prototype of a modular reinforced-concrete shelter during today’s nationwide civil defense exercises.
According to the ministry, the rapidly deployable structure can accommodate up to 125 people and is designed to protect civilians in wartime conditions. Its development, officials noted, took into account international experience gained from “modern military conflicts.”
The drills, held at a training ground near Barysaw, were intended to test the readiness of agencies involved in civil defense operations under wartime scenarios.
Several simulated incidents were staged, including a fire at an energy facility, the clearing of debris from a collapsed building, and the aftermath of a sabotage attack on a pumping station that disrupted heating and electricity supplies. Participants also practiced responding to a gas pipeline strike, extinguishing oil fires, managing a chemical hazard on a railway line, and restoring critical infrastructure. Evacuation and resettlement exercises were conducted as well.
“In modern warfare, utilities and energy systems are among the most vulnerable targets and require reliable protection — something that depends heavily on the coordinated implementation of defense measures by all components of the state’s military organization,” said State Secretary of the Security Council Alyaksandr Valfovich, commenting on the outcome of the drills. “The main goal of today’s comprehensive exercise was to ensure the cohesion and efficiency of civil defense services under any circumstances.”
“Here today, we showcased elements of shelters that can be rapidly deployed in populated areas to ensure public safety,” added Emergency Situations Minister Vadim Sinyawski. “We also simulated an attack on energy infrastructure and practiced defending our units from drones. These are the kinds of scenarios that civil defense services must be prepared for.”
