Belarusian, Russian jets to patrol Belarusian airspace – defense ministry

May 3, BPN. Belarusian and Russian military aircraft will patrol Belarus’ airspace as part of a combat readiness check scheduled for May, the Belarusian defense ministry has said.

Military units deployed in the Brest, Hrodna, Brest and Minsk regions will also be involved in the exercise, it added.

“Support units will be involved along with Air/ Air Defense Forces units, special operations forces of the Armed Forces, operational commands, missile forces and artillery,” the ministry said.

Up to 1,000 reservists will be called up, as well as people’s militia, which will train in maintaining martial law, it noted.

The previous combat readiness check lasted from April 3 to May 2.

Commenting on the drill, Security Council head Alaksandr Valfovič said Belarus could mobilize some 1.5 million people, “who will be defending their country with arms in their hands if necessary.”