PrintForward Position Deputy Minister of Defence of the Republic of Belarus Alternative spelling Patapenka Siarhei, Potapenko Sergei Organization Belarusian Ministry of Defence Career Since 2002 served as commander of a tank platoon and tank company commander. Then he completed his military service in the 72nd Guards joint training centre training ensigns and junior specialists in various staff and command positions, starting as a senior officer to the Chief of the Training Division at the 72nd Guards Training Centre. In 2008 was appointed Deputy Commander of the North-Western Operational Command Unit. From August 2010 to June 2015 - was Commander of the Western Operational Command Unit. From June 2015 - Head of the Main Directorate of Combat Training of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus. On 12th January 2016 he was appointed Deputy Minister of Defence of the Republic of Belarus. Position held since 2016 Year of birth 1961 Region of birth Minsk region Belarus Education Suvorov Military School in Minsk, V.I. Lenin Ulyanovsk Guards Higher Tank Command School, Marshal R. Y. Malinovsky Military Academy of Armoured Forces, Faculty of the General Staff of the Military Academy of the Republic of Belarus Sector State Region Minsk Links Potapenko Sergei Vladimirovich Tags Military defence Ministry of Defence public authorities state institutions Last updated 17.02.2016