Hundreds of bomb shelters undergo urgent inspections in Belarus — over 70 found to be in critical condition.

Belarus launches inspection and upgrade program for civil defense shelters

According to Espreso.tv: Since the start of 2026, Belarus has been carrying out an extensive program to inspect, repair, and upgrade civil defense shelters, particularly in the Mogilev region. As of June 2, 2026, authorities counted 276 civil defense facilities in the area, including:

• 186 bunkers,
• 85 anti-radiation shelters,
• 5 specialized protective structures.

Out of these 276 facilities, 204 have been deemed suitable for public use, while 72 are in unsatisfactory condition. As part of the modernization effort, 34 structures are scheduled to be decommissioned, and 38 are to be restored. Since the beginning of the year, 43 shelters have already been brought up to standard. Between February and April 2026, authorities issued 66 compliance orders to address violations, and 11 officials faced administrative penalties.

Notably, the number of shelters classified as unusable has increased: in Mogilev city, the count rose from 13 to 36, and in Bobruisk from 8 to 12. Organizations such as Beltelecom and the National Bank of Belarus are carrying out reconstruction projects for these shelters.

“Alexander Lukashenko has taken Ukraine’s warnings seriously,” said Kyrylo Budanov on July 7, 2026.

These actions highlight an intensified focus on civil defense in Belarus, involving both the inspection of existing shelters and their modernization to meet current standards.

Why the shelter modernization program matters

Belarus’s shelter upgrade program forms part of the country’s broader strategy to enhance public safety amid geopolitical tensions. The active inspection and repair of bunkers may signal the nation’s readiness to respond to potential emergencies—a key component of civil defense. These steps could also influence domestic policy and relations with neighboring countries, especially given critical remarks from Ukraine and other regional states.