Russia and Belarus released joint flying force workouts Monday, utilizing every military airfield in the country that functioned as a launchpad for Moscows intrusion of Ukraine last February.The drills come as Russias intrusion, now in its 11th month, grinds on as a bloody war of attrition in eastern Ukraine and a campaign of aerial strikes on Ukraines vital infrastructure.The allies prepare joint air patrols along the Belarusian border, air-borne landings and support operations for ground troops, as well as deliveries of products and evacuations of wounded soldiers, the Belarusian defense ministry said.
The primary purpose of the exercise is to improve interoperability in the joint execution of training and fight jobs, it said.State media reported that the drills will take place from Jan.
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Pavel Muraveyko, very first deputy state secretary of Belarus Security Council, told the Belta state news company that the exercises are specifically defensive however warned that Minsk is all set for any provocative actions from Ukraine.
Were keeping our powder dry, we have actually the required set of forces and means that will react to any aggression or terrorist risk on our territory, Muraveyko said Sunday.Writing on the Telegram messaging app, the Belarusian armed force stated it has activated all of its air force and air defense sites for the joint drills with Russia.Eight Russian fighter airplane and 4 freight airplanes got here in Belarus on Sunday, Reuters reported Monday, citing informal military tracking channels on Telegram.Moscows close ally Minsk has supported the Kremlins invasion of Ukraine and permitted Russian troops to introduce part of its February 2022 intrusion from its territory.Russia and Belarus performed joint military drills close to the border with Ukraine in the run-up to the invasion.The Belarusian army has not taken part in the Russian intrusion itself.Ukraine has consistently warned of possible attacks from its northern next-door neighbor Belarus in the months because Russia attacked, though some experts assess the possibility of direct involvement by Minsk as low.On Sunday, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) believe tank said it thinks Russia will likely broaden its military presence in Belarus until September 2023, when the countries are expected to hold significant fight exercises.
There are anomalous activities that intensify the information operation that Russia will attack Ukraine from Belarus, ISW said.
[] ISW evaluates an offensive is still a low-likelihood circumstance at this time.