Russia’s close ally Belarus has initiated major military manoeuvres in two regions: one bordering Poland and the other near Russia, both of which also border Ukraine.

The defence ministry in Minsk did not provide information on Friday on the number of soldiers and technology involved.

A ministry statement on Instagram reported that operational command units, special forces, missile troops, artillery, the air force, and air defence were involved.

In the first part of the exercise, the troops were to be deployed to the specified manoeuvre areas and fortify their positions there. After that, the ministry stated that the actual combat exercises were to begin.

Training areas were named in the Brest region on Belarus’ western border with Poland and in the Gomel region in the east on the border with Russia.

Both regions also border Ukraine from the north.

Belarus is closely allied with Russia under the authoritarian leadership of Aleksandr Lukashenko, who has become increasingly dependent on Putin to sustain his regime.

It’s only with Russian help that he held onto power following falsifications in the 2020 presidential election and mass protests.

Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with its forces also attacking from Belarus with Mr Lukashenko’s support.

Moscow has stationed tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus.

(dpa/NAN)