The first units of motorized rifle formations of the Southern Military District, stationed in the Chechen Republic and the Republic of Dagestan, arrived at the permanent deployment points after the completion of planned exercises in the Republic of Crimea. This was announced on Friday, February 18, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
"The transportation of personnel and military equipment was carried out by rail as part of military echelons. The length of the route exceeded the distance of 1.5 thousand kilometers," the ministry said in a statement.
The Defense Ministry said that the servicemen began unloading armored and automotive equipment and building columns for marching to the locations of military units.
According to the Defense Ministry, the personnel will soon prepare military equipment for further planned exercises.
The day before it was reported that the next echelon with military equipment of the units of the Southern Military District (SE) crossed the Crimean Bridge on the way to the point of permanent deployment after the end of the Belarusian-Russian exercises.
Also on February 17, 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 Resolve - 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.
