Russian MoD

The response force will be tested in two steps.

The troops of the Western Military District, the Airborne Troops and the aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces involved in the joint strategic exercise Zapad-2021 at two training grounds on the territory of Belarus have started returning to their permanent deployment points in the Russian Federation, Russia’s Defence Ministry reports.

The defence ministries of Belarus and Russia signed a five-year strategic partnership program, Aleh Voinau, Head of the International Military Cooperation Department, said on Tuesday.