MINSK, 3 February (BelTA) – Belarusian and Russian army units carried out a practical episode involving the destruction of illegal armed groups in the military training area Brestsky on 3 February. Belarusian Defense Minister, Lieutenant-General Viktor Khrenin and Russian Defense Minister, Army General Sergei Shoigu observed actions of the joint brigade tactical force, BelTA has learned.
The first stage of a test of response forces of the Union State of Belarus and Russia is taking place in Belarus till 9 February in line with the decision of the two heads of state. During this stage 12 Su-35 aircraft, two air defense squadrons armed with S-400 missile systems, and an air defense squadron armed with Pantsir-S missile-artillery systems were relocated to Belarus. As part of the combat shakedown the troops are practicing defensive operations and fight against illegal armed groups in various military exercise areas.
The joint brigade tactical force, which included over 2,000 military personnel and 300 units of hardware, participated in the practical episode in the military exercise area Brestsky. The tactical force was supposed to repulse an assault launched by illegal armed groups, who had crossed the state border. Paratroopers, artillery units, flamethrower units were deployed to destroy the simulated enemy. Ground attack aviation, antitank missile systems Kornet, a battery of multiple-launch rocket systems Grad, drones and mine-clearing systems, small arms were also used. The troops used the experience of modern armed conflicts during their defensive and offensive actions.
Commander of the Eastern Military District of Russia's Armed Forces, Hero of Russia, Colonel-General Aleksandr Chaiko said: “According to the leadership, the troops have accomplished their missions. The purpose of the test has been fulfilled. We demonstrated primarily cohesive actions of the Belarusian and Russian military personnel.”
Commander of the Special Operations Forces of Belarus' Armed Forces Vadim Denisenko added: “We've practiced all the things we'd set out to practice. The troops maneuvered a lot. All the units carried out maneuvers, including a water obstacle, the passing of a swampy terrain. A firefight in a populated locality is the most complicated element for the military. The element was fulfilled successfully. We've also practiced the main aspects of sweeping the populated locality in full.”
The Belarusian-Russian army exercise Allied Resolve 2022 will be held during the second stage of the test of the response forces on 10-20 February. Units of Belarus' Armed Forces and units of the Eastern Military District of Russia's Armed Forces will practice suppressing and repelling external aggression in the course of a defensive operation, countering terrorism and protecting the interests of the Union State.
In addition to the military training area Brestsky the troops use the training areas Domanovsky, Gozhsky, Obuz-Lesnovsky, and Osipovichsky. There are plans to use the airfields Baranovichi, Luninets, Lida, and Machulishchi. The number of military personnel and the amount of military hardware deployed for the exercise covered by the 2011 Vienna Document on Confidence- and Security-Building Measures do not exceed the thresholds that require notification.
