Russian troops that were transferred to Belarus in October will soon conduct military exercises there, Russian News Agency reports Interface Monday. The news agency relies on information from the Russian Defense Ministry.
The news comes shortly before Russian President Vladimir Putin visits Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko. The message from Interface it does not clarify when and where in Belarus the exercises will take place.
According to the Belarusian Defense Ministry, 9,000 Russian soldiers were transferred to Belarus in October. The move is part of a “regional regrouping” of the military. It is intended to better secure borders.
Putin last visited Belarus in 2019. Russia is a key ally of Belarusian President Lukashenko, who has been in power since 1994. Earlier this year he ordered the Russian military to attack Ukraine from Belarus. This decision resulted in international sanctions against Belarus.
