A close ally of Russia launches military exercises

Belarus said on June 21 that its armed forces had begun their annual 10-day “mobilization exercise.”

Belarus' annual military exercises will take place over 10 days, starting June 21. Illustrative photo. (Source: Reuters)

According to the Belarusian Defense Ministry, Minsk conducts this exercise every year to test and assess the level of preparedness of state agencies in mobilizing reserve forces.

In particular, all Belarusian men are required to perform military service and remain in the reserve force after completing their training.

Bordering northern Ukraine, Belarus is increasingly strengthening its response capabilities and guarding against attacks, as Kiev is intensifying a new counter-offensive campaign against Russian forces in southern and eastern Ukraine.

Minsk has allowed Moscow to use its territory as one of the launching pads for Russia's special military operation in Ukraine since last year.

Specifically, Russia and Belarus regularly hold joint military exercises, and Russian forces are allowed to use Belarusian bases for training.

This June, Belarus announced it had received tactical nuclear missiles from Moscow, which Russian President Vladimir Putin said was intended as a warning to the West.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/mot-dong-minh-than-can-cua-nga-khoi-dong-dien-tap-quan-su-231756.html