Introductions are worked out, conditional terrorists are detained. Karpenkov - on the combat readiness check of internal troops
January 9, 2026
Training scenarios have been completed, and groups of mock terrorists have been apprehended. The progress of the combat readiness check was reported by the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs - Commander of the Internal Troops, Nikolai Karpenkov, as reported by a BELTA correspondent. As noted by Nikolai Karpenkov, on the instructions of the Minister of Internal Affairs, all tasks were fulfilled in close cooperation with law enforcement officers during the period of public order and public security maintenance for the New Year holidays. "Tasks were carried out throughout the country - from the capital to regional and district centers.
However, special emphasis was placed on ensuring public security in the border areas and border towns of Gomel and Brest regions. Our guys worked well there, all tasks were completed. In addition to everything else, the internal troops performed their daily combat missions. Our bomb disposal and pyrotechnic teams worked intensively: all places of mass gathering of citizens, holding of mass events, and concerts were inspected by our sappers," said Nikolai Karpenkov.
He also noted that special purpose units were actively working, mainly detaining drug traffickers. "The Minister of Internal Affairs made a decision, and yesterday, January 8, he handed us a directive to inspect units and formations of the internal troops, as well as our special purpose units serving in the border areas for combat readiness. Its peculiarity was surprise. The second peculiarity of such an inspection is that the action takes place throughout our country - in all border areas where our units are on duty, they search for sabotage and reconnaissance groups, block them and destroy them," said Nikolai Karpenkov. According to the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, this inspection is also carried out in cooperation with criminal police officers and taking into account their operational and technical capabilities, which helps in blocking and destroying simulated enemy groups planning terrorist attacks against critical infrastructure facilities in almost all regional centers. "Currently, almost all initial data have been processed, and simulated terrorist groups have been detained.
The double complexity and the greatest peculiarity of these exercises is that they are taking place in such difficult weather conditions. But our units are acting quite actively, fulfilling the assigned tasks, including combat missions," he emphasized. The exercises are currently ongoing. "Peace, stability, and order within our country will be ensured," Nikolai Karpenkov summarized.