Russia and Belarus have commenced joint air drive drills utilizing Belarus’ navy airfields.
The navy workout routines will probably be carried out till February 1, 2023, in keeping with the Belarusian protection ministry.
“As we speak, a joint tactical flight train of the aviation items of the armed forces of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation, that are a part of the aviation element of the regional grouping of troops (forces), has began,” the ministry revealed in a submit on the Belarusian defence ministry’s Telegram web page.
“The principle objective of the train is to extend operational compatibility within the joint efficiency of fight coaching missions,” the submit continues.
As a part of the joint train, the navy forces of each nations will apply collectively patrolling Belarusian airspace and can work on air assist for a bunch of troops, air reconnaissance, tactical airborne touchdown and items supply workout routines, in addition to the evacuation of the wounded troops.
The present air drills are just like the exercise seen earlier than Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which started on February 24, 2022, when Moscow used the nation as a springboard to launch the assault.
In line with Russian overseas ministry official Aleksey Polishchuk, the navy actions have been launched to forestall battle escalation. But when Ukraine decides to “invade” both Belarus or Russia, then Belarus could be a part of the conflict, Polishchuk warned Russian media, as reported by Al Jazeera on January 13, 2023.
Nevertheless, Belarus has lately denied Ukraine’s considerations that the air drills could possibly be used to mount a brand new assault on the nation.
“The train is solely defensive in nature,” the primary deputy state secretary of the Belarusian Safety Council Pavel Muraveyko wrote in an announcement, Al Jazeera reported on January 16, 2023.
An identical narrative was utilized by each Russia and Belarus as a pretext for begin the continued battle in Ukraine in February 2022.
Only a few hours after Russian troops entered Ukraine, Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko justified the invasion, stating that the actions had been taken to precent Ukrainian navy invading Belarus.
