OREANDA-NEWS The purpose of the joint exercises of the air defense forces of Russia and Belarus is to ensure common security in the skies over the countries, according to the captain of the first rank of the reserve, military expert Vasily Dandykin. 

"We have a Union State, respectively, we have the most fraternal relations between the two armies, including in joint air defense. We have common borders, [Belarusian President Alexander] Lukashenko said — from Brest to Vladivostok. We conduct exercises both on the territory of Belarus and at our training grounds. It's all related to the overall safety of our sky," he said.

The Belarusian military of one of the military units of the air defense Forces (Air Defense) will go to Russia for tactical exercises, the Ministry of Defense of the republic reported.

The ministry noted that the training will allow to work out new tactical techniques for conducting anti-aircraft and aerial combat. Approximately four thousand military personnel and 150 pieces of equipment will be involved in the exercises. The main part of the maneuvers will take place at the Ashuluk training ground, which is located in the Astrakhan region.