Russia deploys 12 Pantsir-S missile systems in allied countries

Sputniknews.com news agency on January 29 quoted the Russian Defense Ministry's announcement that it had deployed 12 Pantsir-S air defense missile systems to Belarus as part of upcoming exercises.

Pantsir-S1 anti-aircraft missile and gun complex at the anti-terrorism exercise of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Peace Mission 2021 at the Donguzsky training ground in the Orenburg Region. Photo: Sputnik

According to the statement of the Ministry, the Russian army is on the move to Belarus. Another transport unit of the Eastern Military District is tasked with delivering the Pantsir-S battalion to the assembly point. The Pantsir-S complex battalion to Belarus consists of 12 combat vehicles, each of which can carry 12 anti-aircraft missiles.

The Russian Defense Ministry said on January 26 that it had completed the redeployment of Su-35 fighter jets to Belarus for exercises. The crews took off from an airfield in Khabarovsk Krai and traveled a distance of about 8,000 kilometers. Earlier this week, Russian paratroopers also arrived in Belarus.

The upcoming Russia-Belarus exercises will be conducted in two phases. The first phase, which will run until February 9, will focus on deployment and reinforcement of forces, while the second phase, which will run until February 20, will be a joint exercise called “Allied Resolve-2022,” which will focus on suppressing and repelling external aggression, as well as countering terrorism and protecting the interests of both countries.