MOSCOW. Oct 20 (Interfax) - The Russian-Belarusian exercise Union Shield will be a key event of 2023, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said, summing up the results of Wednesday's joint board meeting of the defense ministries of Russia and Belarus.
"The results of the joint activities of our defense agencies in 2019-2021 have been summed up and approved, measures to ensure military security are planned for the period until 2024, and a relevant plan has been approved. The largest event envisaged by this document will be the joint exercise Union Shield, which we will hold in 2023," Shoigu said.
Proposals on improving the procedures governing exchange of information on dangerous factors and aviation events will be prepared to develop cooperation in the sphere of the flight safety of state aviation, he said.
"Cooperation in the sphere of radiation, chemical, and biological protection, radioelectronic warfare, and topographic, geodetic, and navigation support will continue. Events are planned to practice joint actions and improve the existing mechanisms of interaction in these areas," Shoigu said.
The results of the work done since 2018 to improve military infrastructure facilities planned for joint use by the regional group of troops were summed up at the board meeting, he said.
The program of the Union State for the period until 2026 will be developed in the interests of the regional group of Russian and Belarusian troops.
"We have agreed to continue it, for which we will draft a relevant program for the Union State for the period until 2026," Shoigu said.
Joint work to counter attempts to falsify the causes, results, and legacy of WWII and the victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 is continuing, he said.