Belarus is part of the CIS joint air defense system, the S-400 Triumph is being sent to exercises in order to increase the combat capabilities of the Union State. On Friday, January 21, the former deputy commander-in-chief of the Air Force for the joint air defense system of the CIS countries, Reserve Lieutenant General Aytech Bizhev, told Izvestia.
"The military-political leadership and the Council of Defense Ministers of the CIS constantly pay attention to the issues of airspace protection. We have a common policy, scientific base and educational institution where personnel are trained <...>. S-400s are sent to exercises in order to increase the combat capabilities of the union state of Russia and Belarus. We are bringing forces to the same denominator," he said.
Bizhev stressed that the air defense system of the CIS, and especially of the Union State, should be ready to respond to all challenges, everything should be at the highest level. Russia has re-equipped almost all of its regiments and brigades with the new S-400 system, the expert added.
"Now we are working on strengthening the air defense of Belarus. The combined air defense system of our countries must meet the most modern requirements for conducting combat operations and repelling enemy attacks. The combat and technical capabilities of the air defense of Belarus will be seriously improved," concluded the reserve Lieutenant General.
Earlier in the day, the Russian Defense Ministry sent two divisions of the S-400 Triumph air defense systems from the Far East to military exercises in Belarus.
The joint exercises of the Russian Federation and Belarus "Allied Resolve - 2022" will be held from February 10 to 20. Practical actions of the troops will take place at the Domanovsky, Gozhsky, Obuz-Lesnovsky, Osipovichi and Brest ranges.
On the same day, the US Permanent Representative to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said that Washington was concerned about the Russian-Belarusian military exercises. She added that reports of military exercises in Belarus, as well as Russia's military buildup near Ukraine "are a signal to the United States that the Russian Federation is aggressive towards Ukraine."
The Western media has repeatedly published articles about the alleged possible Russian invasion of Ukraine. Against this background, American lawmakers are calling for tougher sanctions against Moscow. Russia has repeatedly rejected information about an alleged possible invasion of Ukraine. On January 10, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov noted that Moscow has no intentions to attack Ukraine and cannot be.
