8 fighter jets and 4 cargo planes arrive in Belarus from Russia, most likely for aviation drills

At least eight fighter jets and four cargo planes arrived from Russia at the military airfield in Baranavichy, Belarus, on Sunday, 15 January. 

Source: Belaruski Hajun

Details: According to Belaruski Hajun, at least eight fighter jets of the Russian Air Force have flown to the military airfield in Baranavichy from the Russian Federation over the course of the last 24 hours, among them:

Four Su-34s of the Air and Space Forces of the Russian Federation with the following registration numbers:

• RF-95001 – arrived at 16:05,
• RF-*****4 – arrived at 16:05,
• RF-81853 – arrived at 16:40,
• RF-81862 – arrived at 16:50.

Four Su-30s of the Air and Space Forces of the Russian Federation with the following registration numbers:

• RF-85805 – arrived at 15:50 (probably Su-30),
• RF-85806 – arrived at 15:50 (probably Su-30),
• RF-81874 – arrived at 16:20 from Kursk,
• RF-81875 – arrived at 16:20 from Kursk.

All of them arrived in Baranavichy between 15:50 and 16:50 Kyiv time. It is known for sure that two Su-30SMs arrived from Kursk [Russian Federation]. Belaruski Hajun notes that two Su-34s of the Air and Space Forces of the Russian Federation were already stationed in Baranavichy before the arrival of the fighters on Sunday.

In addition, four cargo planes also arrived in Baranavichy on Sunday:

• An-12 of the Air and Space Forces of the Russian Federation (RF-93586) – arrived at 12:46,
• An-12 of the Air and Space Forces of the Russian Federation (RF-12560) – arrived at 17:05,
• An-26 of the Air and Space Forces of the Russian Federation (RF-90319) – arrived at 17:10,
• An-12 of the Air and Space Forces of the Russian Federation (RF-95409 – arrived at 17:50.

Three of them came from the Russian Federation, and one (RF-93586) had been in Machulishchy since 11 January and flew to Baranavichy on Sunday, from where it departed at 14:05. According to Belaruski Hajun, at least some of those planes were carrying cargo, quite likely ammunition for fighters.

Quote "Most likely, the planes arrived to participate in the joint aviation drills of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus and the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation which the Defence Ministry of the Republic of Belarus had announced on 5 January. It is expected that these exercises will take place from 16 January to 1 February."

Details: Belaruski Hajun reminded readers that 12 helicopters of the Russian Air Force arrived in Belarus on 8 January. At that time, it was assumed that aircraft of the Russian Air Force would be stationed at Machulishchy and Baranavichy airfields during future exercises. Belaruski Hajun also did not rule out that the Lida, Luninets and Babrujsk airfields could also be involved.

However, the number of airfields involved may turn out to be larger, as the Defence Ministry of Belarus announced on 8 January, "All airfields and ranges of the Air Force and Air Defence Forces of the Armed Forces of Belarus will be involved during aviation drills."

Earlier: On 8 January, the Belarusian Ministry of Defence announced that Russia and Belarus will hold joint tactical flight drills from 16 January to 1 February. 

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