UK intelligence says Russian warplanes likely to train in Belarus

January 11, BPN. The new deployment of Russian military aircraft to Belarus is most likely an exercise rather than preparations for another attack on Ukraine, UK Ministry of Defence said.

Russia keeps a large number of forces in Belarus, but they are mostly involved in training and it is unlikely that they can “constitute a credible offensive force,” it added.

Amateur aircraft spotters recorded a total of 12 Mi-8, Mi-24 and Ka-52 helicopters landing at the Mačuliščy military airfield near Minsk. Some of them had Z markings that Russian troops use to identify their forces and equipment.

On January 8, the Belarusian defense ministry confirmed the arrival of Russian warplanes for the joint aviation and tactical drills scheduled to take place from January 16 to February 1 at all Belarusian military airfields and training ranges.

Russia and Belarus vowed to set up a regional group of forces last October. Troops completed combat coordination as part of the regional group of forces on January 6, while personnel, weapons, vehicles and equipment of the Russian Armed Forces continued arriving in Belarus.

Last February, Russia started a full-scale war against Ukraine. Alaksandr Łukašenka admitted that Belarus participated in it without “killing anyone.”

Authorities in Minsk denied Belarusian troops’ involvement in combat operations on the Russian side. However, Belarus allowed Russian troops and weapons to move freely through the country, use its airspace, refuel and store military equipment and attack Ukraine from its territory.