Russia-Belarus Joint Military Drills Intensify... Biden Urges "Americans in Ukraine to Leave Immediately"

Over 30,000 Troops and Advanced Weapons Mobilized for Training
US State Department Also Imposes Travel Restrictions and Urges Immediate Departure from Ukraine

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] As Russia began large-scale joint military exercises with neighboring Belarus on the 10th (local time), military tensions among the involved countries are escalating. U.S. President Joe Biden advised Americans in Ukraine to leave immediately, expressing concerns about potential physical clashes.

On the 10th (local time), the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that the second phase of the "Union Resolve 2022" exercises had commenced at multiple training grounds in Belarus. Until the previous day, Russia conducted the first phase of the exercises, relocating units from the Eastern Military District stationed in the Russian Far East to Belarus, approximately 10,000 km away. During the exercises, Russia deployed long-range bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons, such as the Tupolev (Tu)-22M3, and advanced fighter jets like the Sukhoi (Su)-35S, conducting patrol flights over Belarusian airspace. The Russian Ministry of Defense described the exercises as aimed at "practicing defensive operations to block and repel external attacks, counterterrorism, and protecting the interests of the Union State."

Russia and Belarus, both former Soviet republics, have maintained a close relationship beyond an alliance since the late 1990s by promoting the establishment of the "Union State." Belarus's stance contrasts with Ukraine, another former Soviet country bordering Russia, which has pursued a pro-Western path and experienced conflicts with Russia. Approximately 30,000 Russian troops and most Belarusian military units are reported to be participating in the exercises held in southwestern Belarus near the Ukrainian border in Brest and Domanovo, as well as at the Goshuski training ground near the Polish and Lithuanian borders.

Ukraine is also conducting counter-exercises for ten days starting from the 10th, coinciding with the Russia-Belarus drills. Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov stated in a TV interview on the 7th that "their (Russia and Belarus) exercises are scheduled from the 10th to the 20th," adding, "We will conduct counter-exercises during the same period." He introduced that the exercises would take place at nine training grounds in regions including Rivne and Kovel (west), Chernihiv (north), Chuhuiv (east), and Odesa (south).

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The United States has urged its citizens to leave Ukraine immediately amid heightened tensions due to the large-scale military exercises. According to local media, President Joe Biden said in an NBC interview aired that day, "American citizens should leave immediately." However, regarding the deployment of U.S. troops to assist evacuation if Russia invades Ukraine, he stated, "That is not the case," but warned, "If the U.S. and Russia start shooting at each other, that would be a world war."

On the same day, the U.S. Department of State also issued a travel advisory, warning, "Do not travel to Ukraine due to increased threats of Russian military actions and the COVID-19 situation," emphasizing, "Those in Ukraine should leave now using commercial or private transportation."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.