Two Russian Tu-22M3 bombers returned to their home airfield after patrolling in the airspace of Belarus. This was announced on Saturday, December 18, by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.
"Two long-range Tu-22M3 bombers of the Aerospace Forces performed patrols in the airspace of the Republic of Belarus. During the flight of long—range aircraft, issues on solving joint tasks with aviation and air defense forces of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus were worked out," the ministry said.
Earlier in the day, it was reported that Russia had sent long-range Tu-22MZ bombers to Belarus to jointly patrol the Belarusian state border.
Prior to that, on November 29, the head of the Belarusian Defense Ministry, Viktor Khrenin, said that the situation at the western and southern borders of Belarus was heating up. Minsk is forced to plan retaliatory measures. In addition, Khrenin noted that NATO countries are increasing the potential of the armed forces near the borders of Belarus: they are deploying military formations, purchasing modern weapons.
On the same day, Khrenin also said that Belarus would hold new military exercises with the participation of Russia. They will be aimed at working out the protection of the southern borders of the country. At the same time, the head of the Belarusian Defense Ministry noted that Moscow and Minsk do not plan to conduct large-scale exercises like the "West".
Earlier, on November 25, the State Secretary of the Security Council of Belarus, Alexander Volfovich, said that in the context of NATO's capacity-building at the borders of Belarus, it is important to maintain the combat readiness of the Belarusian army and strengthen the regional grouping of troops with Russia.
