The Ministry of Defense of Belarus is constructing a new military facility in the Gomel region, 40 kilometers from the border with Ukraine.
This information was reported by the Belarusian service of Radio Liberty, which obtained photos from the site.
According to the investigation, construction was supposed to commence in 2023 and conclude in 2027, with the first phase expected to be completed by March 2024.
The construction of the new military facility may be related to statements made by Alexander Lukashenko in May 2022, when he announced the establishment of the "Southern Operational Command" in the Armed Forces.
The construction is taking place on the territory of several former children's camps. It was planned that in 2023, 500 thousand rubles ($150 thousand) would be allocated from the budget for this purpose, with 10 and 40 million in 2024 and 2025, respectively. The project was supposed to start in 2023 and be completed in 2027.
The exact location of the construction is not officially disclosed. However, sources have identified the construction on the territory of the former pioneer camp "Chaika," approximately midway between the regional center of Gomel and the district center of Rychitsa. An asphalt road from there leads to the border with Ukraine, reaching the border crossing in Novaya Guta about 40 kilometers away.
Most likely, in the new military town, a garrison will be initially stationed with the task of covering the state border.
From the object's passport, located on the fence of the former camp, it is revealed that the construction is commissioned by the Capital Construction Management of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus. The general contractor is the Gomel House-Building Combine No. 243. The project was developed by the Institute of Military Projects. The construction timeline for the first phase of the town is October 2023 to March 2024.