The Belarus Ministry of Defense has confirmed its participation in upcoming live-fire and anti-aircraft guided missile launch exercises led by Russia.
The exercises will be conducted as part of a pact between Belarus and Russia, according to Reuters, citing Moscow-based news agency Interfax.
“Military units from the formations are planned to be deployed at four training ranges of the Republic of Belarus in the eastern and central part of the country, after which they will start conducting combat training activities,” Interfax reported, quoting an undisclosed Minsk defense official.
Belarus, Russia Partnership
A close ally, Belarus has extended political and logistical support to Russia during its invasion of Ukraine.
The Belarus defense ministry said earlier this month that Russian troops would arrive in the country to form a new “regional grouping” amidst claims that Ukraine is preparing to advance into the country’s territory.
Exercise Vostok 2022
In September, Belarus attended the Russian military command post’s Exercise Vostok 2022, which involved 50,000 personnel, 5,000 weapons, 140 aircraft, and 60 naval ships.
The latest iteration of the exercise focused on bolstering inter-service commands and force coalitions in “repelling aggression in the eastern direction and in the far eastern maritime zone.”
The stated aim of Vostok was to preserve peace, protect interests, and ensure military security in the region.
Alongside Belarus, the Russia-led drill was joined by India, Algeria, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Syria, Kyrgyz, Azerbaijan, Laos, Nicaragua, Tajikistan, and China.