The Ministry of Defense of Belarus announced the start of regular exercises with the Russian Federation.

 "Today, the joint staff training of the joint command of the regional grouping of troops (forces) begins in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus," the message reads.

 As reported, "during the week, representatives of the military departments of the two states will work out the issue of joint planning of the use of troops based on the experience of armed conflicts in recent years on the topic: "Making a decision on the use of a regional grouping of troops (forces) for the benefit of ensuring the military security of the Union state".

 And the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Belarus explained the maneuvers as a desire to "increase the compatibility of the military administration of the two states" and indicated that this is "another stage of preparation for the joint operational exercise "Shield of the Union - 2023", which will take place on the territory of the Russian Federation in September 2023."

 According to the monitoring group "Belarusian Gayun", training of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus and the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in Belarus has been extended at least until February 6.

 There may be about 9,000 military personnel of the Russian Federation on the territory of Belarus.