Belarus has started military exercises from the city of Brest near the Polish border, the capital Minsk and the northeastern region of Vitebsk, the defense ministry said on Thursday.

According to foreign media, the Telegraph reports, Belarus, a close ally of Russia, said that the drills, located only about 30 kilometers from the border of Ukraine and six 10 kilometers from Poland, will practice the "liberation of territory temporarily captured by the enemy ' and regaining control over the border regions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin used similar rhetoric to justify his invasion of Ukraine, falsely claiming that Kiev was part of Russia and that he was 'cleansing' the country of 'neo-Nazis'.

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Minsk has complained for months about NATO countries massing troops near its borders — Poland, Lithuania and Latvia are all members of the alliance — and is increasing the amount and intensity of its own military exercises in response.

The Belarusian defense ministry added that the drills, which will last until September 14, will practice "ensuring strong martial law measures" as well as fighting "the enemy and illegal armed formations".

Up to 7,500 military personnel, 260 armored vehicles and about 30 planes and helicopters will take part in the exercise, local media reported.

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The military drills come after Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko reaffirmed his support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine last month.

Lukashenko's support for the war has drawn international criticism and sanctions against Minsk.

Belarus is a close ally of Russia and has allowed Moscow to use its territory to send thousands of troops into neighboring Ukraine, as well as launch missiles from its airspace.

In July, Russia reportedly increased its military capabilities both in the air and on the ground in Belarus amid heightened tensions with the West.

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