The exercises have added significance as they come amid growing warnings from Kyiv that Russia is trying to draw Belarus deeper into its war against Ukraine, while also expanding military infrastructure that could support future Russian operations against Ukraine or NATO's eastern flank.

Russia is considering operational plans launched from Belarusian territory either toward Ukraine’s Chernihiv-Kyiv sectors or against a NATO member state, Zelensky said.

Belarus' Ministry of Defence says military units are 'training in the combat use of nuclear weapons' in 'cooperation' with Russia