Фото: Минобороны
Belarusian and Russian Defence Ministers Viktar Khrenin and Andrei Belousov approved the concept for the joint operational exercise Union Shield 2027 at a meeting of the joint board of the two countries’ defence ministries.
“Operational and combat training of the armed forces of Belarus and Russia remains an important area of cooperation. The main event next year will be the joint operational exercise Union Shield 2027, which is intended to demonstrate our determination and ability to jointly defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our states and further improve the Union State’s military security system,” Khrenin said.
As usual, he stressed that the exercise would be defensive in nature.
Union Shield exercises are usually held in Russia. They alternate with the Zapad (West) series of manoeuvres, which take place in Belarus. The previous Union Shield exercise was held in Russia in 2023. In 2025, Belarus hosted the Zapad exercise.