Russia and Belarus have launched major war games in an already tense region, intensifying concerns about Moscow’s military intentions and sparking denunciation from the West and Ukraine.
The maneuvers, which began on February 10, are taking place in southern Belarus, near its border with Ukraine. They are scheduled to last for 10 days, the countries' military officials have said.
The drills take part amid a flurry of diplomatic activity as U.S. and European leaders seek ways to tamp down tensions that have soared following Russia's move to amass more than 100,000 combat-ready troops near its border with Ukraine, raising concerns it could launch an invasion.
SEE ALSO: British PM Says Europe In Most Serious Security Crisis In Decades Over UkraineMoscow insists that it does not plan to invade Ukraine. Russia did invade Ukraine in 2014, seizing the Crimea region, and has also aided separatist forces in eastern regions of the country.
The Russian Defense Ministry said activity will take place at five military training areas, with troops focusing on what officials called "the suppression of and defense against external aggression."
Both countries' military leaders have insisted that the drills are only for training purposes and are not a threat to other countries.
Belarus, a former Soviet republic, has moved closer to Moscow following a spate of mass protests against strongman ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka.
Lukashenka, in power since 1994, claimed a landslide reelection victory in the August 9, 2020, presidential poll that was immediately dismissed as rigged by the opposition and its supporters, who took to the streets in protest.
Russia has moved military equipment into Belarus in recent weeks, although Moscow claims the hardware will be returned to Russian bases following the military drills.
SEE ALSO: In Photos: All Quiet On Ukraine's Eastern FrontMilitary officials have not disclosed how many troops are involved in the drills, but U.S. experts say about 30,000 soldiers have been deployed to Belarus from locations in Russia.
Russia is also planning to conduct navy drills in the Black Sea, angering Ukraine.
Kyiv said the naval drills had made shipping in the Black Sea "virtually impossible" and denounced the maneuvers in Belarus as "psychological pressure."
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian called the "extremely massive" drills "a very violent gesture."
"Every country of course has the right to organize military maneuvers, but here there is a very significant buildup of exercises on the border with Ukraine," he told French broadcaster Inter.
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As U.S. Troops Arrive In Romania, Top U.S. Official Warns Russia On Possible Ukraine Invasion
According to the Pentagon, the top U.S. general spoke by phone with his Belarusian counterpart on February 10 in an effort to reduce the possibility of a "miscalculation."
"The phone call facilitated communication between both leaders to reduce chances of miscalculation and gain perspectives on current European security," said a spokesman for General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
NATO has bolstered its troop deployments to allies in Eastern Europe and the Baltic region in response to Russia's actions and has indicated a willingness to send more.