Another echelon with military equipment of the units of the Southern Military District crossed the Crimean Bridge on its way to the point of permanent deployment after the end of the Belarusian-Russian exercises. This was announced on February 17 by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.
"Part of the route runs through the Kerch Strait on the Crimean Bridge, along which both railway trains with military equipment and automobile convoys of units of the Southern Military District pass. <...> The personnel of the unit carried out the loading of tracked armored vehicles - tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and self-propelled artillery installations on railway platforms at loading stations," the report says.
On February 17, the units of the logistics brigade of the Western Military District arrived at the point of permanent deployment after the completion of planned exercises. On February 16, the ZVO tank army, following the units of the Southern Eastern District, began to return to the points of permanent deployment. Earlier that day, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation announced the return of the units of the Southern Military District from the Crimea. On February 15, a part of the units of the Southern Military District and the Eastern Military District also returned to the places of permanent deployment.
The joint Russian-Belarusian exercises "Allied Determination - 2022" started on February 10. They are aimed at checking the reaction forces of the Union State. The maneuvers take place at combined-arms training grounds in Belarus. The exercises are arranged for high-quality testing of tasks "to prevent and repel external aggression during a defensive operation, as well as to counter terrorism and protect the interests of the Union State. The exercises should end on February 20.
Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei clarified on February 16 that all Russian military and equipment will leave the republic after the end of joint maneuvers.
