Commentary

Belarus plans over 1,000 "people's militia" units, experts skeptical

 22.10.2026, 16:07
Command-and-staff exercise with territorial defense command bodies, formation of people's militia units in the Vitsebsk region, September 2024. Photo: Artsyom Beresten,
Command-and-staff exercise with territorial defense command bodies, formation of people's militia units in the Vitsebsk region, September 2024. Photo: Artsyom Beresten, "Vayar"

Alyaksandr Lukashenka has demanded that people's militia units be created everywhere, down to every village council – in total, more than a thousand are planned. Security Council State Secretary Alyaksandr Valfovich announced an inspection of their combat readiness. Why do the authorities need such combat units? We asked experts.