Minsk. January 29. INTERFAX - In preparation for the inspection of the reaction forces of the Union State, the commander of the troops of the Eastern Military District of the Russian Federation, Alexander Chaiko, visited the 38th Separate Guards Airborne Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Belarus. This was reported in the Ministry of Defense of Belarus on Saturday.
"In preparation for the inspection of the reaction forces of the Union State on the territory of Belarus, the commander of the troops of the Eastern Military District of the Russian Federation, Hero of Russia Colonel-General Alexander Chaiko visited the 38th separate Guards amphibious assault brigade, where he got acquainted with the history of the unit, weapons and military equipment in service with the brigade, as well as the order of organization of combat training in the unit," the Defense Ministry informed.
At the Museum of the brigade's Military Glory, Colonel-General Chaiko presented the commander of the Brigade of the Guards, Colonel Dmitry Korshunov, with a memorable gift and left an entry in the Book of Honorary Guests of the unit.
As reported, Russia and Belarus are checking the reaction forces of the Union State. At the first stage - until February 9 - the redeployment and creation of groups of troops is carried out. At the second stage - from February 10 to 20 - a joint exercise "Allied Resolve-2022" will be held.
The exercises will involve almost all the Armed Forces of Belarus, as well as parts of the Eastern Military District, the Aerospace Forces and the Airborne Troops of Russia.
On Saturday, the Russian Defense Ministry announced the arrival of the Pantsir-S division of short-range air defense systems in Belarus.
On January 21, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation announced the beginning of the transfer of two divisions of long-range S-400 Triumph air defense systems to Belarus by rail. They will take up combat training duty as part of the unified regional air defense system of Russia and Belarus, the Russian military said.
On January 27, Russia completed the relocation of Su-35 fighters from the Far East to Belarus. Earlier, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin said that Russia is sending 12 Su-35 fighters to Belarus for maneuvers.
In Belarus, five military ranges will be involved in the exercises (Domanovsky, Gozhsky, Obuz-Lesnovsky, Brest and Osipovichi, a number of terrain areas and four airfields (Baranovichi, Luninets, Lida and Machulishchi).
The maneuvers are taking place against the backdrop of a crisis in relations between Russia and NATO. The United States, other NATO countries and Ukraine announced the concentration of Russian troops at the Ukrainian border and the threat of a Russian invasion.