Russia and Belarus begin air force exercise

Russia and Belarus began joint air force exercises in Belarus. According to the Belarusian Ministry of Defense, military exercises are scheduled to be held at Belarusian military airfields from January 16 to February 1. The Department of Defense announced the exercises last week.

The exercises sparked fears in Kiev and in the West that Moscow could use its ally for a new ground offensive in Ukraine. There are growing concerns that Belarus may be actively involved in the war in Ukraine.

Belarus provided a base for about 10,000 Russian soldiers.

The Kyiv government has repeatedly warned that Russia could open a new front in the north from its close ally, Belarus. Belarus has declared that it will not enter the war.

The Moscow government has described the speculation as “baseless” and “stupid” and is urging the ally to get more involved.

The Ukrainian side announced on Friday that it will hold exercises against sabotage on Ukraine’s border with Belarus.

A representative of the Belarusian Security Council accused Ukraine on Sunday of provocation.

Russia had already used Belarus as a springboard for its invasion that began on February 24, 2022. In addition, Russia and Belarus agreed to expand military cooperation and establish a joint combat unit.

Russia does not exclude the involvement of Belarus in the war in Ukraine. Alexey Polishchuk, representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Moscow, said on Friday that the precondition for this is the attack of the Ukrainian army on the neighboring country.