IPFS News Link • China
China Conducts Military Drills Near Polish & Ukrainian Borders
• https://www.zerohedge.com, by Tyler DurdenThe Belarusian armed forces pointed specifically to "Ukrainian provocation" as a key reason to hold the drills. Vladimir Kupriyanyuk, the deputy head of the general staff of the military, said the exercises are a response to the "West's aggressive foreign policy towards Belarus" and to "Ukrainian provocation."
Alarmingly, the maneuvers dubbed 'Eagle Assault' are not just a single day or two-day drill, but are slated to last eleven days, until July 19. The drills are being staged near the city of Brest on the Belarus-Poland border, and which is some 40 miles from the Belarusian border with Ukraine to the south.
"As part of the anti-terrorist exercises, the military personnel of both countries will work out the issues of night landing, overcoming water obstacles, and conducting operations in [urban settings]," the Belarusian defense ministry announced on Telegram.
The statement called out NATO's growing involvement in Ukraine specifically: "The NATO grouping on the border with Belarus is growing rapidly, which leads to an increase in tension in the region," stated a follow-up post. It additionally warned of "harsh reaction" should any external forces "cross Belarusian borders."
Poland's Defense Ministry responded by saying that a big focus of the NATO summit in Washington this week will be addressing the "hybrid war ongoing on the Poland-Belarus border, as well as on the Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian borders."
All of this is also happening while Russia has stationed tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, which it calls a 'Union State' based on their close defensive partnership (and historic treaty) and ongoing cooperation regarding Ukraine.
As for China's explanation, its defense ministry said Sunday the drills are primarily 'anti-terrorism' in nature, to include "hostage rescue operations and counter-terrorism missions."
????????????????????Meanwhile China is conducting military drills on the Polish border in a staunch show of support to Belarus.
— Aussie Cossack (@aussiecossack) July 9, 2024
Are you watching NATO? pic.twitter.com/hSmUcWlcx0