Russia and Belarus 16 launched a joint air force exercise.

The picture shows that on the eve of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 14 last year, 11 Su-30SM fighter jets of the Russian Aerospace Forces participated in a live-fire drill in the airspace of Belarus.

(Reuters file photo)

[Compilation of Chen Chengliang/Comprehensive Report] The Russian and Belarusian air forces will hold a joint air military exercise starting on the 16th and ending on February 1st.

The Belarus Ministry of Defense emphasized that the exercise is purely defensive in nature, but Western countries and Ukraine are concerned that it may be a precursor to a new wave of Russian ground attacks on Ukraine.

"Reuters" quoted the Ministry of Defense of Belarus on the 16th, claiming that the exercise is purely defensive in nature, focusing on reconnaissance tasks and how to defend against possible attacks.

During the exercise, the two militaries will conduct air reconnaissance, air strikes, air cover and communication training.

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According to reports from the unofficial Telegram military monitoring channel, a series of Russian fighter planes, helicopters and military transport planes have arrived in Belarus since the beginning of the year. On the 8th alone, 8 fighter planes and 4 transport planes arrived in Belarus.

The spate of military activity in Belarus has raised concerns in Kyiv and Western countries that Russia may use its ally to launch a new ground offensive against Ukraine.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine last February used Belarus as a springboard.

"Ria Novosti" (RIA) reported that Belarusian Security Council (Security Council) Chief Deputy Permanent Secretary Pavel Muraveyko (Pavel Muraveyko) claimed that although the situation on the southern border of Belarus is "not very calm", the Belarusian troops maintain patience and self-control. At the same time, it has increased its vigilance and is ready to deal with any provocations from Ukraine in accordance with the instructions of President Alexander Lukashenko.