Categories: GlobalTop Stories

Ukraine Tensions: Russia Begins Joint Military Drills With Belarus

Russia and Belarus launched joint military drills Thursday despite concerns in Western countries that Moscow is plotting a major escalation of the conflict in Ukraine.

The exercises, scheduled to continue until Feb. 20 in Belarus, had begun and would center around “suppressing and repelling external aggression,” Russia’s Defense Ministry said in a statement.

Soldiers would practise beefing up sections of the Belarus border to block the delivery of weapons and ammunition into the country, among other scenarios, it said.

The games have exacerbated deeply strained ties between Russia and the West, which accuses Moscow of massing approximately 100,000 troops around the borders of Ukraine for a potential invasion.

British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss was in Moscow Thursday for talks with her Russian counterpart to urge the Kremlin not to attack or face “massive consequences” from Western sanctions.

Moscow and Minsk have not disclosed how many troops are participating in the drills, but the United States has said Russia was planning to dispatch 30,000 troops personnel to several regions in ex-Soviet Belarus.

Responding to Western concerns, the Kremlin has insisted that it has no intention of leaving the troops permanently on Belarusian territory

Moscow Times

Follow us on:

AriseNews

Recent Posts

Search for Missing Persons Continues After Deadly Valencia Floods

Barcelona faces severe flooding as search and rescue efforts continue.

19 mins ago

Peter Obi Says He Will Turn Night Vigils To Night Shifts + Minors Face Death Sentence – Trending With Ojy Okpe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8c8PG-x1gg The music producer and composer, Quincy Jones, who worked with Music Legends, including, the…

22 mins ago

Prince William Arrives In South Africa For Earthshot Prize And Wildlife Summit

Prince William visits South Africa for Earthshot Prize, aiming to spotlight climate innovation and support…

54 mins ago

Chad’s President Threatens To Exit Regional Security Force, Citing Ineffectiveness Against Insurgents

Chad's President is considering exiting MNJTF, a regional security force, citing lack of cooperation against…

1 hour ago

Abuja Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Dana Air MD Hathiramani Ranesh over Absence at Fraud Trial

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the arrest of Dana Air MD Hathiramani…

1 hour ago

Equatorial Guinea Anti-Graft Chief Embroiled in Major Sex Scandal, Over 400 Tapes Found Involving Top Officials’ Families

A High-ranking Equatorial Guinean official is facing a major sex scandal with 400 explicit sex…

1 hour ago