Belarusian defense ministry: Russian troops keep coming, aviation drills to be held

January 5, BPN. Personnel, weapons, vehicles and equipment of the Russian Armed Forces continue arriving in Belarus, the Belarusian defense ministry has said.

A regional group of forces is planning to hold joint aviation exercises. The drills are “to improve combat expertise of aviation units,” the ministry said. A formation of the Russian Aerospace Forces is expected to participate.

The drills are part of an effort to ensure “military security of the Union State,” the ministry added. Drills will be held at training grounds to improve combat coordination with Russian units.

The announcement comes after Belarusian Security Council head Alaksandr Valfovič said the Russian-Belarusian group of forces may be increased.

Russia has been sending its troops to Belarus since October 15. Alaksandr Łukašenka said the decision to deploy the joint group was made in response to the “worsening” situation on the Union State’s western borders.

Russia used Belarus as a launchpad for its February 2022 offensive on Kyiv. Officials in Kyiv say that the Russian-Belarusian group is not yet big enough to launch a new offensive on Ukraine from Belarus.