May 27, Pozirk. The Belarusian defense ministry has announced the start of a joint Belarusian-Russian air and air defense exercise.
The announcement comes after Biełaruski Hajun reported that eight Russian helicopters landed May 25 at the Baranavičy airfield located some 500 miles (785 kilometers) from Ukraine’s Kharkiv.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said a few days ago that Russian troops have been massed northwest of the city for an offensive.
The Belarusian defense ministry said the maneuver is aimed at “improving the common regional air defense system” and “increasing the interaction and training of control and flight personnel.”
The focus will be on protecting government and military facilities from an air attack, according to the ministry.
The exercise involves Belarusian aircraft, anti-aircraft missile and electronic warfare troops, it said, noting that Russia has deployed reconnaissance and combat helicopters and planes.
“Baranavičy currently hosts two Su-24MR reconnaissance planes of the Russian Aerospace Forces; at least four Su-30SM fighter jets of the Russian Aerospace Forces; and eight Mi-24 and Mi-8 helicopters of the Russian Aerospace Forces,” Biełaruski Hajun said.
The defense ministry did not specify the equipment involved. It said that flyers will practice interaction and support for ground forces during combat training missions.
The maneuver will last until May 31.
It was launched days after a visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to Minsk. The two leaders on May 24 discussed a tactical nuclear drill announced earlier this month.
