Security Council’s top official observing Belarusian-Russian air drills near Poland, Ukraine

January 31, BPN. Alaksandr Valfovič, state secretary of the Security Council, has arrived at the Ružany bombing range in the Brest region, near Poland and Ukraine, to observe joint air drills of Belarusian and Russian pilots, the defense ministry’s press office reported.

The flight crews are practicing attacks on ground targets, while fighter jets cover military aircraft and bombers, it said.

The joint air and tactical drills started on January 16 and are expected to conclude on February 1.

On January 31, the Belarusian defense ministry announced a week-long joint command staff training to improve interoperability.

Russia and Belarus announced a plan to set up the regional group of forces last October.

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.