Belarus is beginning a military exercise on the Polish border – and just 20 miles from Ukraine – to rehearse “liberating the territory” and regaining control of the border regions
- Belarus said military exercises are taking place in the city of Brest near the Polish border
- The drills will practice “liberating territory temporarily captured by the enemy.”
- The Defense Ministry said the military exercises would continue until September 14
Belarus has started military exercises in the city of Brest near the Polish border, its capital Minsk and the northeastern region of Vitebsk, the defense ministry said on Thursday.
It said the exercises, located just 20 miles from the Ukrainian border and six miles from Poland, would practice “liberating areas temporarily held by the enemy” and regaining control of border regions.
The defense ministry added that the exercises, scheduled to last until September 14, will practice “ensuring vigorous measures of martial law” as well as fighting “enemy and illegal armed formations.”
Up to 7,500 military personnel, 260 armored vehicles and about 30 planes and helicopters will take part in the exercise, local media reported.
Belarus has started military exercises in the city of Brest near the Polish border, its capital Minsk and the northeastern region of Vitebsk, the defense ministry said on Thursday
It said the exercises, scheduled to last until September 14, will practice “liberating areas temporarily captured by the enemy” and regaining control of border regions
Belarus has started military exercises in the city of Brest near the Polish border, its capital Minsk and the north-eastern Vitebsk region
According to the ministry, the size of the troops and military equipment involved in the exercise did not require notification under OSCE guidelines.
The move comes after Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko last month reiterated his support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Lukashenko’s support for the war has drawn international criticism and sanctions against Minsk.
Belarus is a close ally of Russia and has allowed Moscow to use its territory to send thousands of troops into neighboring Ukraine and launch missiles from its airspace.
Lukashenko has publicly stood by his longtime ally, who has pumped billions of dollars into props up his Soviet-style state-controlled economy on cheap energy and credit.
The move comes after Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko last month reiterated his support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
A military helicopter flies ahead during military exercises in Belarus
According to the ministry, the size of the troops and military equipment involved in the exercise did not require notification under OSCE guidelines. Pictured: A soldier with a parachute lands on the ground during military exercises in Belarus
