More mercenaries from Russia’s Wagner group group rolled into Belarus on Monday as their relocation appeared to continue.
Belaruski Hajun, a Belarusian activist group that monitors troops movements in the country, said that a convoy of about 20 vehicles carrying Russian flags and Wagner insignia had arrived in the country.
Belarusian authorities have provided the soldiers with a field camp which is being used to by Wagner to train Belarus forces.
Belaruski Hajun said it was a third Wagner convoy entering the country since last week.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who brokered a deal that ended last month’s rebellion launched by Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, has said that his country’s military could benefit from the mercenaries’ combat experience.
Belarusian state TV has broadcast video of Wagner instructors training forces at a firing range in the Asipovichy region.
A Belarusian messaging app channel alleged last week that Prigozhin spent a night at the camp near Tsel, about 90 kilometers (about 55 miles) southeast of Minsk, and posted a photo of him in a tent.
In the revolt that started on June 23 and lasted less than 24 hours, Prigozhin’s mercenaries swept through the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don. They captured the military headquarters before driving to within about 200 kilometers (125 miles) of Moscow.
Prigozhin called it a “march of justice” to oust Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and General Valery Gerasimov.
The mutiny mercenaries reportedly downed at least six military helicopters and a command post aircraft, killing at least 10 airmen. Prigozhin ordered his troops back to their camps after striking a deal to end the rebellion in exchange for an amnesty for him and his men, and permission to move to Belarus.
Putin said that Wagner troops had a choice between signing contracts with the Defence Ministry, moving to Belarus or retiring from service.
