Khrenin: "The Union Shield 2023" to become main event for the training of troops of Belarus and Russia

Operational exercise "The Union Shield 2023" will be the main event of the joint training of the Belarusian and Russian troops next year. This was stated by Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin at the meeting of the joint board of defense ministries of Belarus and Russia, BelTA informs with reference to the press service of the military department of Belarus.

"I am convinced that today's meeting is another joint step towards strengthening the military security of our countries. It is especially important in this difficult period, not only for Belarus, Russia and the Union State, but for the international peace and security in general. Together we have to look for measures to counter the continuing unprecedented pressure and hybrid influence on Belarus and Russia. Unreasonable militarization of the entire eastern flank of the North Atlantic Alliance is taking place near the borders of the Union State and military infrastructure is being actively improved. The number of operational and combat training activities of the alliance has increased manifold in the neighboring areas, moreover, politicians sound bellicose rhetoric," said Viktor Khrenin.

The Minister of Defense emphasizes that in spite of what is going on, this year the Belarusian-Russian military cooperation has achieved significant results. To improve the joint military systems, the military authorities of Belarus and Russia hold joint events, there is an exchange of best practices, the legal framework is improved, and joint exercises are held. At the moment the preparation for the joint operational exercise "Union Shield 2023" has started.

Belarusian Defense Minister Lieutenant General Viktor Khrenin is chairing the annual session of the joint board of the Belarusian and Russian defense ministries in a video-conference format. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Belarus Boris Gryzlov, representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union of Belarus and Russia the Permanent Committee of the Union State in Minsk, Russian Federation Attaché's Office, and experts from the Belarusian defense ministry take part in the meeting of the joint board.

The goal of the event is to organize practical work to create and strengthen the necessary joint military potential to counter challenges and threats of a military nature that are directed against the Union State. The session will sum up the results of the activities of defense agencies for the past period and the implementation of measures to ensure military security of the Union State. Attention will be paid to the improvement of the single regional air defense system of Belarus and Russia, as well as to the improvement of joint military systems.