MINSK, January 16. /TASS/. Russian and Belarusian units of the regional group of forces began joint tactical flight drills in Belarus on Monday, the country’s Defense Ministry said in a statement.

"A joint tactical flight exercise involving the air units of Belarus and Russia that make up the aviation component of the regional group of forces kicked off today. Russia is represented by an Aerospace Forces unit," the statement reads.

The Belarusian Defense Ministry pointed out that "the exercise is taking place at all airfields and training ranges of the Belarusian Army’s air and air defense forces."

On January 8, the Belarusian Defense Ministry announced that the Russian Aerospace Forces’ air units had arrived in the country to take part in a joint flight tactical exercise of the aviation component of the regional group of forces set to be held from January 16 to February 1.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated on October 10, 2022, that under an agreement with Moscow, the formation of a regional group of forces had begun, the bulk of which would be made up of Belarusian service members. Minsk announced the arrival of the first trains carrying Russian troops in mid-October. Russian President Vladimir Putin said, following talks with Lukashenko in the Belarusian capital on December 19, that Moscow and Minsk would continue to carry out joint exercises and other combat training activities, particularly involving the regional group of forces. In early January, the Belarusian Defense Ministry announced plans to build up the regional forces and boost their readiness to perform missions aimed at protecting the Union State of Belarus and Russia.