Shoigu announces strengthening of military ties with Belarus

DENYS KARLOVSKYI — THURSDAY, 23 JUNE 2022, 16:24

Sergei Shoigu, the Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation, said that immediate measures should be taken to improve the defence capabilities of the troops of the so-called "Unified State of Belarus and Russia."

Source: TV channel of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation "Zvezda" with Shoigu's comment during a meeting with Viktor Khrenin, the Minister of Defence of Belarus

Quote from Shoigu: "Circumstances dictate the need to take immediate joint measures to strengthen the defence capabilities of the Unified state, increase the combat readiness of the regional group of troops and the unified regional air defence system. "

Details: According to him, Belarus is Russia’s most important strategic partner and friend.  Russians believe that together with Belarusians, they are ready to resist the United States and its allies.

Background: 

•   Major General Kyrylo Budanov, the Head of the Defence Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, said that there is no threat of an invasion by the Belarusian army at the moment.
•   The Armed Forces of Belarus are building fortifications along the borders with Ukraine and the EU.
•   To demonstrate their presence in the areas bordering Ukraine, the Belarusian Armed Forces are placing wooden dummy tanks [along the border].
•   Lieutenant-General Oleksandr Pavliuk, the commander of the group of forces and means of defence of the city of Kyiv, said that the possibility of attempts to form new strike groups on the Kyiv and Chernihiv fronts could not be ruled out. At the same time, according to him, the probability of rocket attacks on Kyiv is currently a greater threat.