Belarus, Russia is conducting joint military exercises amid NATO tensions Russia-Ukraine, news war

However, Moscow and Mings insist that the exercises are defensive, adding that Western security concerns are “nonsense”.

Russia has offered some of its advanced weapons while conducting joint military exercises with the Belarusian forces, amid increasing tensions with NATO countries after alleged violations of air positions in Poland and Romania by Moscow.

Nearly 7,000 soldiers, including 6,000 Belarusia soldiers, participated in the exercises held at sites in Belarus and Russia.

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Russia conducted a test kick with the Kalibr missile from the nuclear submarine called Arkhangelsk in the Parrents Sea during the Russian-Belarus “Zapad” training. The strike was carried out on the target set by the submarine from an underwater position, according to Interfax.

On Tuesday, Moscow and Mings insisted that the exercises are defensive, aimed at simulating the response to the invasion.

But NATO states along the eastern wing of the coalition that they pose a threat, especially after the alleged Russian aircraft aircraft I crossed the Polish air field last week. Warsaw has since warned that “open conflict” is now closer to any time since World War II. Romania on Sunday accused Russia is a drone during its attacks on Ukraine.

The government led by the Labor Party in Britain announced on Monday the combat aircraft that will fly air defense missions on Poland to face air threats.

Russia has been in war with Ukraine since its launch of a ground invasion in 2022.

The Defense Minister of Belarus, Victor Khurenin, rejected NATO concerns.

“We have heard a lot of things … that we aim to NATO, and that we will invade the Baltic states,” he told reporters at the Parisau base, east of Minsk. “Simply, all kinds of nonsense.”

However, Poland, Latvia and Lithuania ascended, Closure And the implementation of the anti -allies.

Belarus invites international observers

Belarus allowed to reach the rare media, invite foreign journalists, television crews and even US military officers.

“Thank you for the invitation,” said Brian Schop, the American military attache, shaking hands with the Belarusian Defense Minister.

“Give American guests the best places and showed them everything that arouses their interest,” the defense minister said. The cameras captured two hooks with two US military officers, and thanked them for the audience.

The training was a tightly designed presentation. The camouflaged armored vehicles have focused on a river, the helicopters retreated on the heads of the trees, and young recruits were loaded with shells in artillery systems. Others prepared drones for fake strikes.

Journalists were excluded from marine maneuvers in the bars and the sea of ​​the Baltic Sea, as well as exercises near GRODNA, near the Polish and Lievian border.

Minsk highlighted the limited size of the exercises, stressing that only 7,000 soldiers participated. In comparison, Zapad 2021 exercises included about 200,000 individuals, just months before Moscow launched a large -scale invasion of Ukraine.

Khurinin said that the reduced numbers reflect the Minsk’s efforts to reduce tensions. “We have nothing to hide,” I insist. “We are only preparing to defend our country.”

Belarus also pointed to the international presence, saying that observers from 23 countries attended, and many of them are long allies from Minsk and Moscow.