Belarusian, Russian pilots practicing at bombing range near Poland, Ukraine

January 25, BPN. Belarusian and Russian aircraft crews “continue to carry out planned missions from all airfields of Belarus’ Air/Air Defense Forces” as part of joint air and tactical drills, the defense ministry’s press office reported.

Fighter jets cover military aircraft and bombers that practice suppressing air defenses and attacking equipment and troops at the bombing range in Ružany, Brest region, it said.

Reconnaissance of alternate airfields and helipads is carried out for “further redeployment of aviation units by air and on the ground”, the report added.

An A-50 early warning and control aircraft based at the Mačuliščy military airfield performs aerial reconnaissance and coordinates the movements of multi-purpose fighters, the defense ministry noted.

On January 18, Andrej Łukjanovič, commander of the Belarusian Air/Air Defense Forces, said that the drills should “improve interoperability.”

Russia and Belarus announced a plan to set up a regional group of forces last October. Russia increased its contingent in Belarus to an estimated 11,000 troops and delivered weapons, vehicles and equipment. Russian and Belarusian troops completed combat coordination on January 6.

Joint Belarusian-Russian air and tactical drills started on January 16 and will continue until February 1.

The drills are taking place amid ongoing Russia’s war against Ukraine. Authorities in Minsk denied Belarusian troops’ involvement in combat operations on the Russian side. However, Belarus allowed Russian troops to attack Ukraine from its territory on multiple occasions.