PEOPLE'S MILITIA
On July 17, 2025, the Law of the Republic of Belarus No. 287-Z "On People's Militia" was adopted.
At a meeting of the Security Council on February 20, a draft law "On People's Militia" was considered. As emphasized by the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko during the meeting: "I have said more than once: every man (and not only men) must know how to handle weapons, at least. At least to be able to protect his family, his home, his native corner of the land, and, if necessary, the country, without which there will be no corner, no home, nothing else. Many understand this." The document was developed by the Ministry of Defence in conjunction with the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Details about the draft law were provided to journalists by the head of the defence department, Viktor Khrenin.
The main task of the people's militia is to protect their locality and ensure law and order together with the police.
Why does Belarus need a law on people's militia?
The necessity of adopting this law is due to two factors. Firstly, it is the creation of additional conditions for maintaining law and order during a state of martial law in territories that will be least covered by internal affairs bodies and troops. These are primarily our rural settlements and individual district towns. The second factor is to give our citizens, who will not be covered by mobilization measures, the opportunity to participate in the defence of the country.
What does the draft law say?
The draft law stipulates that the composition, number, and tasks of the people's militia will be determined by local authorities. However, the primary task for the people's militia remains the protection, first and foremost, of their homes and property, and the implementation of law and order measures in cooperation with the police. According to the document, volunteers joining the ranks of the people's militia will be accommodated at their place of residence and will continue to perform their employment functions. Employers will have the right to release these citizens from work while maintaining their wages and job positions. The Law also provides that social guarantees applicable to mobilized military personnel will extend to volunteers.
When will the people's militia be established in Belarus?
In the autumn of 2022, an experiment on organizing a people's militia was conducted in Belarus. It took place at the Lobzhansky rural council of the Klimovichsky district of the Mogilev region. People responded. Those wishing to participate in the people's militia came forward. Relevant training sessions were conducted with them by internal affairs officers, which showed that our people have a need to be involved in ensuring the defence of our state. Overall, the people's militia will complement and enhance the capabilities of territorial defence and improve the quality of tasks performed to ensure the protection of our country.
How many citizens can be part of the people's militia?
According to military estimates, the number of people's militia could range from 100,000 to 150,000 people. However, the Ministry of Defence does not rule out the possibility of a larger number of volunteers. The republic has sufficient mobilization resources registered with military commissariats. These are primarily individuals who have already been trained and know how to handle weapons. However, it is also possible for individuals who have not undergone military training, including women, to become volunteers. Training courses are provided for volunteers, allowing people to be trained in a short period. This applies both to the establishment of the people's militia and to training in peacetime before its creation.
What is the difference between a people's militia and territorial defence forces?
An effective state defence system has been established in Belarus. Its foundation is the Armed Forces. Combating crime, maintaining public order, and ensuring public safety fall within the remit of internal affairs bodies and internal troops, both in peacetime and wartime. Territorial troops have been created to ensure the smooth functioning of state bodies and organisations, economic facilities, and infrastructure of Belarus in wartime conditions. Territorial defence consists of military formations with a clear structure. In peacetime, they are equipped with the relevant property: gear, weapons, and communication equipment. Territorial defence is managed by governors and local authorities. It is intended to perform tasks not only in the location where it is formed. A people's militia comprises individuals, volunteers who have come forward. They are provided with weapons and will perform their tasks only in their home area. The people's militia will be a supplementary force. It will be managed by the governor, the chairman of the district executive committee, and the rural council, in conjunction with representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Primarily, these will be local district police officers.