The Belarusian Armed Forces Have Undergone Another Round Of Reshuffles
- 22.10.2026, 18:55
Lukashenko replaced the commander of the Special Operations Forces and four other military commanders.
Alexander Lukashenko has once again replaced the commander of the Armed Forces’ Special Operations Forces (SSO)—the previous commander had held the position for just over nine months. He also appointed new leadership for the Western and Northwestern Operational Commands. Lukashenko signed the relevant decrees on October 22, according to his press service.
Vladimir Safonov has become the new commander of the SSO. Previously, he served as chief of staff—first deputy commander of the Special Operations Forces. This position will now be filled by Dmitry Voroshilov.
The former commander of the Special Operations Forces, Alexander Ilyukevich, has been appointed commander of the Western Operational Command.
Major General Andrei Kravchenko has been appointed Chief of Staff and First Deputy Commander of these forces. Previously, he served as Head of the Territorial Defense Directorate and Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces.
Major General Alexander Lavrenov has been appointed Commander of the North-Western Operational Command. Previously, he served as Chief of Staff—First Deputy Commander of the Western Operational Command.
As a reminder, in January 2026, Lukashenko appointed Alexander Ilyukevich as commander of the Special Operations Forces (SSO), replacing Major General Vadim Denisenko, who was discharged from active military service and placed in the reserves due to reaching the mandatory retirement age. Prior to that, Ilyukevich had served as first deputy commander of the Special Operations Forces, and before that, he commanded the 38th Brest Separate Guards Airborne Assault Brigade.
In February, Lukashenko appointed Vladimir Safonov as chief of staff—first deputy commander of the Special Operations Forces. Previously, Safonov commanded the 103rd Vitebsk Separate Guards Airborne Brigade.
In late 2020, Lukashenko awarded Ilyukevich and other security officials for their role in suppressing protests following the presidential election.
The previous reshuffling of the army’s leadership took place on October 14. At that time, Major General Vadim Surov, who commanded the troops of the Western Operational Command, became Deputy Minister of Defense. Lukashenko also appointed a new first deputy chief of the General Staff, the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, and the chief of the Main Military Inspectorate.