Air tactical exercises with Russia start in Belarus, all airfields and training grounds will be used

On January 16, a joint flight and tactical exercise of Belarusian and Russian aviation units, which are part of the aviation component of the regional grouping of troops (forces), started

This was reported by the Belarusion Defense Ministry.

The Russian side is represented by a military formation of the Aerospace Forces, the press service of the ministry said.

The Belarusion Defense Ministry says that the main purpose of the exercise is to increase interoperability during joint training and combat missions.

During the exercise, Belarusians and Russians plan to work out a range of issues, in particular

• conducting air reconnaissance

• joint patrolling of the airspace along the state border 

• air support of troop groups

• landing of tactical airborne troops

• cargo delivery and evacuation of the wounded

All airfields and training grounds of the Air Force and Air Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus are involved in the exercise.

• On January 13, Major General of the Security Service of Ukraine Viktor Yahun said that the Russian forces could make an airfield in Belarus to be able to land strategic bombers. "There is information about the modernization of the airfield for strategic aviation," he said.
• On January 15, the monitoring group Belaruski Gayun also reported that an emergency modernization of barracks for the Russian military was being completed at the airfield in the Belarusian town - Luninets. And also that at least 8 fighter jets and 4 cargo planes flew to Belarus from Russia to the military airfield in Baranovichi.