Belarus Announces Completion of First Battalion of 37th Air Assault Brigade Near Gomel
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Belarus announced on Sunday that it has completed training of one battalion of a new 37th air assault brigade near Gomel on the border with Ukraine. The formation of a second battalion along with artillery, air defense, and reconnaissance units is planned within the year, the commander of Belarusian special operations forces said.
The Announcement
On Sunday, the commander of Belarus’s special operations forces, Alexander Ilyukevich, said on state television that one battalion of the 37th separate air assault brigade had completed training. The unit is stationed near Gomel, approximately 40 kilometers from Ukraine’s northern border. Ilyukevich noted that officers and enlisted personnel have already been recruited for the new brigade.
Brigade Composition
The first battalion is now ready, while a second battalion is expected to be formed later this year. Additionally, combat support, artillery, air defense, and reconnaissance units are to be established. The brigade’s formation was first announced in August 2025, and the current phase marks a significant expansion of Belarusian military capabilities on its southern flank.
What's Next
The second battalion and supporting units are scheduled to be operational by the end of 2026. It remains unclear whether the deployment will further strain Belarus’s relations with Ukraine or elicit a response from NATO.
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Belarus Announces Completion of First Battalion of 37th Air Assault Brigade Near Gomel
