August M
Belarus has launched a covert programme to scale up the production of artillery shells and rocket munitions intended to support Russia’s war in Ukraine, according to a new investigation by an opposition group.
The initiative, uncovered by the Belarusian group BELPOL, is described as a long-term project aimed at strengthening Moscow’s battlefield supplies.
Secret production plans
According to TVPWorld, BELPOL said the programme began after a confidential order signed by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko in November 2023. Full-scale production is reportedly planned for late 2026.
The facility is located in the Slutsk district, about 60km south of Minsk, on the site of a former Soviet-era ammunition storage base. Investigators say the location is being developed to handle the full manufacturing cycle of artillery and rocket ammunition.
In a video outlining the findings, BELPOL representative Uladzimir Zhyhar said the site would produce Soviet-calibre munitions, including 122mm and 152mm shells. “The project is strategically related to the interests of the Russian Ministry of Defense,” he said, adding that the output is intended for use in the war against Ukraine.
Foreign support network
The investigation centres on a company known as ZKI, established in late 2023, which BELPOL describes as a growing hub within Belarus’s military-industrial sector. The firm operates under the supervision of the State Military-Industrial Committee, which oversees arms production.
BELPOL said Belarus lacks sufficient domestic capacity to manufacture key explosives, making foreign cooperation essential. Russia is alleged to be supplying assembly technologies, components and specialist training.
China is said to be providing machinery for loading 122mm rockets, as well as training personnel and supplying explosive materials.
Talks are also reportedly under way with Iran over component supplies and with Pakistan regarding broader expertise in explosives production.
Opposition warning
BELPOL, which was founded by former Belarusian law enforcement officers who defected from the Lukashenko regime, said the findings show Minsk’s deepening involvement in supporting Russia’s military campaign.
The group said the programme highlights Belarus’s growing role in sustaining Russia’s war effort, despite official denials of direct involvement in combat operations.
Sources: TVPWorld, BELPOL
