The Presidents of the Russian Federation and Belarus, Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko, decided to continue checking the reaction forces of the Union State due to the situation in the Donbass. This was announced by Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin on Sunday, February 20.
"Due to the increase in military activity near the external borders of the Union State and the aggravation of the situation in the Donbas, the presidents of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation decided to continue checking the reaction forces of the Union State," the Telegram channel of the Belarusian Defense Ministry quotes Khrenin.
The day before, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that the coalition grouping of the forces of the Russian Federation and Belarus at the exercises "Allied Determination - 2022", after practicing actions in defense, launched a counteroffensive against a conditional enemy. The ministry added that the combat training tasks performed during the maneuvers are based on the experience of modern armed conflicts, including in Syria.
On February 17, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko visited the Osipovichsky training ground to observe the Belarusian-Russian exercises. The Head of State got acquainted with the operation of the joint group of missile forces, which includes the Belarusian multiple rocket launchers "Polonaise" and the Russian operational-tactical missile systems "Iskander".
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 suppress and repel external aggression during a defensive operation, as well as to counter terrorism and protect the interests of the Union State."
The situation on the contact line in Donbass escalated on February 17. Donetsk and Luhansk self-proclaimed People's Republics reported intense shelling by Ukrainian security forces, including heavy weapons. At the same time, Kiev also announced the increased number of attacks on the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Since 2014, the Kiev authorities have been conducting a military operation against the residents of Donbass, who refused to recognize the results of the coup and the new government in Ukraine. At the same time, Kiev blames Moscow for the current situation. Russia has repeatedly stated that it is not a party to the internal Ukrainian conflict. The issues of its settlement are discussed in the Minsk and Normandy formats.
