Belarus, Russia launch preparations for Union Shield-2023 joint drills

Preparations are already underway for the Belarus-Russia joint military drills Union Shield-2023, which will become the main event in the joint training of the command personnel and troops next year – as stated by Belarus’ Defence Minister Viktor Khrenin during the joint meeting of the two countries’ defence ministries, according to information published by the Belarusian Defence Ministry in its official Telegram channel

The purpose of the meeting was to clarify the procedure for further work to create and strengthen the necessary joint military potential in order to deter military challenges and threats directed against the Union State.

In the course of the board, reports were made on the main directions of countering attempts to falsify history, as well as on the state and directions for improving the unified regional air defence system. The sides also discussed the basics of the concept of joint operational drills of the Armed Forces of Russia and Belarus Union Shield-2023, which will become the main event in the joint training of the command personnel and troops next year.

The Head of the Belarusian Defence Ministry is convinced that the current meeting is another joint step towards strengthening the military security of our states. He drew attention to the fact that in this difficult period such actions are very important for Belarus, Russia and the Union State, as well as for international peace and security in general.

“Together we have to look for measures to counteract the ongoing unprecedented pressure and hybrid impact on Belarus and Russia. Near the Union State borders an unjustified militarisation of the entire eastern flank of the North Atlantic Alliance is being carried out, accompanied by an active development of the military infrastructure. In the adjacent territories, the number of NATO operational and combat training activities has been increased several times. Moreover, militant rhetoric is heard from politicians,” Viktor Khrenin noted.

He also said that good results have been achieved within the framework of the Belarusian-Russian military co-operation this year.

“The improvement of the joint military systems continues. To this end, our military command and control bodies are holding joint events, exchanging best practices, improving the legal framework, and conducting joint training. Preparations have begun for holding joint operational drills Union Shield-2023,” the head of the department explained.