Belarus’ Defence Minister: Combat Brotherhood aims to find ways to counter challenges that CSTO members may face
On September 4th, Belarusian military pilots practiced landing on an airfield section of the highway as part of the Combat Brotherhood 2023 joint operational and strategic exercises. Nine aircraft were involved: two Mi-24, two Su-30SM, an An-26, two Su-25 and two Yak-130 planes. The Su-25, Yak-130 and An-26 aircraft successfully landed on the M1 Minsk-Brest highway with their subsequent preparation for re-departure, while the Su-30SM aircraft participated in landing on an airfield section of the highway for the first time in Belarus.
Belarus’ Defence Minister, Lieutenant General Viktor Khrenin, was among those supervising the implementation of one of the most difficult elements in aviation. After the successful landing, he said that some Western politicians – by fulfilling the task of demonising the Republic of Belarus – are trying to find some conspiracy theories in the ongoing CSTO exercises, “I can say right away: there is no need to look for conspiracy theories. These exercises are prescheduled and open. They are held annually in a CSTO country, aiming to find ways and means to counter the challenges and threats that CSTO member states may face. The system of conducting exercises in one of these countries enables troops to train in various areas of the terrain: mountainous, desert, steppe or wooded-swampy – as in Belarus. Such drills were organised in Belarus before, and they all were highly praised – based on the feedback of participants and international observers whom we invite. Therefore, today's exercises are held strictly in accordance with the plan, without any changes. Demonstrating transparency and our openness, we have also invited military attaches, observers and the diplomatic corps to attend the exercises.”
Mr. Khrenin clarified that 19 countries, three of which are NATO members, have confirmed their participation as observers, “Conspiracy theories are going around our slightly aggressive western neighbour, so, unfortunately, they refused. This once again demonstrates that they do not want to establish normal good-neighbourly relations with us. We stretch a hand to them, but they beat it – but that’s their business. We’ll see how they will behave further. On September 17th, exercises will begin in Poland, and NATO drills with the involvement of more than 8 thousand people are already beginning in Latvia. If they invite us, we'll observe them.”
The Combat Brotherhood 2023 joint operational and strategic exercises of the CSTO member states were launched on September 1st. The national contingents of five countries – Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan – are taking part in the stages in the Brest, Grodno and Minsk regions. In total, more than 2.5 thousand servicemen and over 500 units of weapons, military and special equipment were declared for the exercises.
In total, four exercises are planned: jointly with the CSTO Collective Rapid Reaction Forces – Interaction 2023; special drills with the reconnaissance forces and means of the CSTO armed forces – Search 2023; special exercises with the forces and means of material-technical support of CSTO Troops (Collective Forces) – Echelon 2023; and special exercises with the joint force of radiation, chemical, biological protection and medical support of the CSTO – Barrier 2023. The final stage of practical actions of the Combat Brotherhood 2023 operational and strategic exercises, the closing ceremony, the parade of the participating troops and the awarding ceremony will be held on September 6th at the Brest training ground.
