Belarus, Russia start joint Air Force tactical drills over 'evolving military situation'

Republic of Belarus military and the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation on Tuesday, January 21, started the joint Air Force tactical exercises with the operational-tactical missile system "Iskander" against simulated enemy formations along Belarusian borders. Belarusian-Russian air force tactical exercise that kicked off in the military training area Ruzhany was attended by State Secretary of the Security Council of Belarus Aleksandr Volfovich, according to Belarusian state press Belta. 

S-400 air defense systems and Iskander missiles were put on "combat duty" after Russian President, Vladimir Putin, held a meeting with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko on 19 December 2022. In a statement released by Russia's presidential office, the Belarusian leader noted that the deployment of the S-400 and Iskander missile complex would expand the Belarusian and Russian armed forces' attack range from about 300 km (186 miles) to 500 km (311 miles).

This came as the war in Ukraine strained ties between Minsk and Warsaw, a NATO member located at about 546 km (339 miles) from Belarus' border. 

NATO countries rapidly militarizing, provocations happening: Belarus

On Tuesday, as a series of military drills to counter enemy forces began, Volfovich reaffirmed Belarus' support of Russia and the security policy that demonstrates the resolve of the regional military force to protect the borders of the Union State of Belarus and Russia. The aerial drills were conducted by the Belarusian and Russian "regional group of forces" that was formed late in 2022.

As a part of interoperability measures, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, last year, had begun deploying the artillery units of the Belarusian mechanized brigade on the western borders. 

Credit: Telegram/ Belarus military tv company

“In the course of polishing practical actions of aerial units command bodies of Air Force units demonstrated high cohesion. Belarusian and Russian pilots did the same by successfully accomplishing all the assigned tasks shoulder to shoulder," State Secretary of the Security Council of Belarus Aleksandr Volfovich was quoted as saying by Belta. 

Credit: Telegram/ Belarus military tv company

Credit: Telegram/ Belarus military tv company

State Secretary of the Security Council of Belarus, Volfovich, labelled the air strikes drill as "purely defensive" in nature, and arising due to "complicated military and political situation evolving along our borders." NATO's military in Eastern Europe has stationed about 34,000 military personnel along the Belarusian border,  Volfovich stressed. US and NATO countries' Air Force has already brought about 2,200 combat aircraft, including over 140 aircraft in Poland and the Baltic states across the European zone, he noted. 

Volfovich had earlier also warned that if the Western countries launch an attack on Minsk, they would face destruction and explosions on their soil. As he slammed NATO military aircraft flying near Belarusian borders for making more regular flights, Volfovich stressed that they may have an intention of, most likely, unleashing or planning an assault.

"The scale of operational and combat training events is growing larger. Reconnaissance flights continue in the airspace of neighboring European countries. All kinds of provocations happen. Neighboring countries are rapidly militarizing," Volfovich was quoted as saying by Belta.