The joint military exercises of Russian and Belarus forces in Belarus, which borders northern Ukraine, are scheduled to end on the 20th.
However, Belarusian government officials have revealed to NHK and other interviewers that there are no instructions to withdraw Russian troops at this time, and it is unclear whether the troops will withdraw immediately after the exercise.
In Belarus, which borders northern Ukraine, joint military exercises by Russian and Belarus troops have continued from the 10th of this month, and the state of the exercises was released to overseas media such as NHK on the 19th.
In the exercise, a fighter-backed bomber bombed the ground, followed by a large tank force of Russian and Belarusian troops deployed in an area temporarily occupied by the enemy. It was done on the assumption that it would be retaken.
The Russian army, which is said to be the largest since the end of the Cold War, has been dispatched to Belarus, but the Russian government says that if this exercise is completed, the troops will return to their original positions.
However, the secretary of the Belarusian National Security Council, Wolfovich, who visited the exercise, was asked by reporters such as NHK whether the troops would be withdrawn after the exercise. I can't say anything because I'm doing it. If the president decides, I will withdraw. "
President Lukashenko of Belarus has indicated that he wants to deploy the latest Russian military weapons used in the exercises to his own country, and it is possible that Russia will strengthen its armaments based in Belarus.
The United States and others are increasing their vigilance that Russia will consolidate military troops in Belarus in the name of exercises and invade Ukraine, while Russia will promptly withdraw not only troops but also weapons after the exercises. Is opaque.
Lufthansa, Germany Canceled flights to / from Kiev
Lufthansa of Germany has announced that it will suspend flights to and from Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, for a week starting on the 21st of this month amid heightened tensions over the situation in Ukraine.
Lufthansa, on the other hand, will continue to operate flights to the western central city of Lviv, which is close to the Polish border and has temporarily relocated its embassy functions to Japan and the United States.
Regarding flights to and from Ukraine, the Dutch airline KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has also said that it will cancel the flight for the time being due to the Dutch government's recommendation to cancel the trip.