July 10th 2024.
The ongoing military maneuvers in Belarus, close to the border with Poland, will continue until July 19th. In a move that has raised eyebrows, soldiers from China have been dispatched to Europe to participate in the 11-day wargames. This is seen by some as a provocative gesture towards Nato.
The exercises, which began on Belarusian soil, involve the forces of two close allies, Vladimir Putin's Russia and Belarus. Despite being ostracized by the West for its support of the invasion of Ukraine, Belarus has extended an invitation to China to take part in the drills, which are being held just a few miles from the border with Poland, a member of Nato.
Coincidentally, these exercises started on Monday, the same day as the Trans-Atlantic summit in Washington. Major General Vadim Denisenko, the chief of the Belarusian special operations command, expressed his concern about the current global situation and emphasized the need to practice new tactics in order to be prepared for any potential threats.
Dubbed "Falcon Assault," the drills are scheduled to continue until July 19th at a training ground near the city of Brest. This city, located just 30 miles away from Ukraine, is also strategically close to the ongoing conflict in the region.
The Belarusian government has stated that the joint exercises with China are focused on anti-terrorist activities and will involve training for night landings, navigating water obstacles, and conducting operations in populated areas. Photos shared on Telegram show Chinese troops arriving and unloading equipment from a plane, as well as marching at the training ground. It is unclear how many soldiers are participating in the exercises.
Interestingly, the Chinese defense ministry announced that Belarus had organized a grand welcome ceremony for their troops upon their arrival in the country on Saturday. In a statement, the ministry highlighted the goal of enhancing coordination between the two armies and strengthening practical cooperation. This development comes just days after Belarus joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a group that is supported by China and Russia as a counterbalance to Western influence. Other members include Iran, Pakistan, and India.
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