Zelenskyy holds major staff meeting amid Wagner activity in Belarus

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy chaired a Supreme Commander-in-Chief Staff meeting with Ukraine’s top military leadership on July 21 to address the protection of the country’s ports, the situation at the front, and the northern border.

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During the meeting, Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine was applying close scrutiny of Wagner private military company’s activities in Belarus. Reports on this matter were presented by representatives of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense (HUR), the State Border Guard Service (DPSU), and the Foreign Intelligence Service.

The president instructed Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Commander of the Military-Maritime Forces of the Armed Forces Oleksiy Neizhpapa, and Minister of Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov to develop a comprehensive plan for the continuation of work on the grain corridor.

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was also tasked with developing similar steps in the diplomatic field.

“Addressing port protection and infrastructure for our grain initiative. We understand the risks, threats, and prospects. (I am awaiting) reports from Navy Commander Neizhpapa and Deputy Prime Minister Kubrakov,” wrote President Zelenskyy.

Furthermore, the president also listened to reports from Zaluzhnyi, commander of the Ground Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi, and commander of the Tavria operational-strategic troop grouping Oleksandr Tarnavskyi on the situation at the front.

“The current situation on the battlefield [was established]. Comprehensive analytical reports from all our intelligence regarding the enemy’s intentions in the short and long term. Also discussed were supply, logistics, and production matters. Minister Reznikov, Commander Huliak, Minister Kamyshin (would oversee these matters),” the message stated.

Additionally, Zelenskyy informed about the comprehensive inspection of public service centers (formerly known as military commisariats). The results of the inspection are expected to be available by the end of the month.

Wagner PMC in Belarus: What is known

On June 24, a group of Wagner mercenaries, led by commander Yevgeny Prigozhin, ended a one-day rebellion following negotiations with self-proclaimed Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko. Russian dictator Vladimir Putin presented three options to the Wagner group, including the possibility of exile to Belarus.

Shortly after, reports emerged about the construction of camps in Belarus to accommodate the Wagnerites, with satellite images suggesting the existence of a probable PMC field camp. Lukashenko denied the presence of such camps but offered assistance with accommodation if needed.

Read also: More Wagner mercenaries arriving in Belarus, pose no threat to Ukraine - border guards

The DPSU estimated that Belarus could potentially host around 8,000 Wagner PMC mercenaries. However, Ukrainian intelligence cautioned that it was too early to confirm the relocation of Wagnerites to Belarus.

Later, it was revealed that the Wagnerites in Belarus would be providing combat training to Belarusian forces. This claim was first made by NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and later confirmed by the Belarusian Ministry of Internal Affairs in their negotiations regarding the training of Belarusian special forces on July 12.

The DPSU announced on July 14 that Russia had withdrawn almost all of its military personnel from Belarus.

Monitoring group the Belarusian Hajun reported the entry of the ninth column of Wagner PMC into Belarus on July 19.

As of July 20, the Ministry of Defense of Belarus announced joint “training” operations with the Wagner militants near the border with Poland.

Read also: Wagner mercenaries to share experience with Belarusian military, says defense ministry

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