The British Ministry of Defense in the daily report of military intelligence draws attention to the fact that last week the Ministry of Defense of Belarus announced joint Russian-Belarusian tactical air exercises, which will be held in the country from January 16 to February 1, reports the Russian Service of Bi BBC.

Observers noted the arrival in Belarus from Russia of 12 Mi-8 helicopters, as well as Mi-24 and Ka-52 attack helicopters.

Some of them were marked with the sign "Z".

They landed at the airbase near Minsk.

The deployment of these aircraft is most likely actually a military exercise, according to British intelligence.

They do not consider what is happening as preparation for additional offensive operations against Ukraine.

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Although Russia maintains a large number of troops in Belarus, they are mainly engaged in training and are unlikely to be used for an offensive in Ukraine, the report said.

On January 8, the Ministry of Defense of Belarus announced that aviation units of the armed forces of the two countries will conduct joint tactical flight exercises from January 16 to February 1, which will involve all airfields and training grounds of the Air Force and Air Defense Forces.

Forces of the Armed Forces of Belarus will be involved.

Earlier, the Ministry of Defense of Belarus already announced the establishment of a regional grouping of Belarusian and Russian troops and "measures for combat coordination" at the Belarusian training grounds, reports news.bg.

In December, the Belarusian leader declared that the sovereignty and independence of Belarus are unshakable, while assuring that "Belarus will never be an enemy of Russia."

On October 10, Alexander Lukashenko announced the beginning of the formation of a regional grouping of troops, the basis of which will be servicemen from the Belarusian armed forces.

According to Lukashenko, the decision to create the group was made during the negotiations with Vladimir Putin.

Ukrainian authorities have been warning for months that Belarus and Russia may be planning a joint invasion across Ukraine's northern border.

Russian forces used Belarus as a springboard for their failed attack on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv in February, and recent months have seen a growing wave of joint military activity.

At the same time, according to representatives of the Ukrainian authorities, they do not have intelligence that would indicate the formation of a group of troops necessary for such an invasion.