Royal Marines participate in winter warfare exercise in Belarus

Land March 5, 2020

Members of 42 Commando have travelled to Belarus to take part in a winter warfare exercise alongside the Belarusian armed forces.

Green Berets from 42 Commando have travelled to Belarus to take part in winter warfare training for Exercise Winter Partisan. Troops will train in winter survival skills such as camouflage and winter movement skills including abseiling and skiing, before putting them to the test in an exercise setting.

This represents the largest group of UK Armed Forces personnel to have trained in Belarus and forms part of a bilateral programme of training and education the two countries share with each other. Last summer, Belarusian troops won a silver medal in Exercise Cambrian Patrol in Wales – the world’s toughest patrolling challenge – and participated with 2nd Battalion, the Royal Irish Regiment, on Exercise Urban Ranger.

Exercise Winter Partisan, which lasts until 14th March, will see the Green Berets from Devon train in integrated teams with members of the Belarusian Armed Forces, sharing experience and expertise. Exercise Winter Partisan represents the return phase of this year’s bilateral exchange between the UK and Belarus and will help to build trust and mutual understanding.

As well as the military training, troops will engage in cultural activities looking at the two countries’ shared history – particularly both nations’ contribution in World War II in what is the 75th Anniversary year of VE Day. The Royal Marines from 42 Commando will also visit a WWII museum in Minsk to take part in a WWII memorial event following the two weeks of training.

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