The Penza governor will send residents of the region for "practical training" with the Belgorod self-defense forces, several of whose fighters have already died.

Governor Penza area Oleg Melnichenko I visited Belgorod region and promised to send commanders of his regional self-defense forces "for training and practical training." Melnichenko toured the region in a bulletproof vest, accompanied by the governor. Vyacheslav Gladkov.
 
"Over the three years of the SVO, the fighters of our self-defense forces, Orlan, and BARS-Belgorod have gained experience that can and should be shared. We are all working together to bring Victory closer," wrote Gladkov.
 
The experience gained by the fighters included the following: several of them were killed as a result of shelling and drone strikes. Two died last night. At least six fatalities have been reported since 2024.
 
The volunteer unit "BARS-Belgorod" was formed jointly with the Ministry of Defense to protect important facilities and combat UAVs and sabotage and reconnaissance groups. Membership requires a one-time fee of 40 rubles and a monthly payment of 80 rubles.
 
Joining this unit is "fashionable" among officials: since 2024, high-ranking officials and employees of the Belgorod region administration have begun joining. However, after one to two months, they returned to their normal lives.
 
Today the mayor of Belgorod Valentin Demidov said, that he's leaving to serve at BARS-Belgorod on Monday. Because "he needs to improve his military skills."