MINSK. Feb 16 (Interfax) - The Russian and Belarusian troops participating in the joint Union Resolve 2022 exercise held a tactical airborne training practice, the Belarusian Defense Ministry stated on Tuesday.
"Aspects of tactical airborne training for redeployment to assigned areas to block and destroy hostile sabotage/reconnaissance groups were practiced in the military townlet of the 51st Guards Artillery Brigade in Osipovichi," the statement said.
Russia and Belarus are conducting a preparedness check of the Union State's rapid response forces. Troops were redeployed and a contingent was formed at the first stage, which ended on February 9, and the Union Resolve 2022 exercise is taking place at the second stage, between February 10 and February 20.
The exercise involves Belarusian forces and units of the Russian Eastern Military District, Aerospace Forces and Airborne Forces. S-400 Triumph long-range air defense missile systems, Pantsir-S short-range air defense missile systems, Sukhoi Su-35 fourth-generation multirole fighter jets, and Su-25SM attack planes were deployed from Russia to Belarus.
The exercise is taking place at several locations across Belarus: four training ranges (Obuz Lesnovsky, Osipovichi, Brest, and Gozha), several terrains and four airfields (Baranovichi, Luninets, Lida, and Machulishchi).
The Belarusian General Staff has said that the Russian troops would leave the country when the exercise is over.
On Tuesday, a spokesman for the Russian Defense Ministry, Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov, said that the Southern and Western military district troops had completed their tasks and were now boarding trains and automobile transport to return to their garrisons. Some were marching on their own as part of military columns.