Russian and Belarus militaries train tank manoeuvres 'day and night'

Russia's defence ministry published on Wednesday (December 14) video said to be of joint Russian-Belarusian military training exercises in Belarus.

The footage is said to show tank crews navigating unidentified Belarusian woodland, as well as engineers training in temporary bridge deployment and sappers undertaking explosive exercises.

In a statement on Telegram, the Russian Defence Ministry said coordination exercises were being conducted "day and night".

The day before the footage emerged, Belarus announced a snap military inspection, including to assess increased combat readiness in the south of the country. It was the latest in a burst of exercises that have prompted concern from neighbouring Ukraine, where Russia has been conducting what it calls its "special military operation" since February 24.

Belarus has said it will not join Russia in its offensive in Ukraine, but Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko allowed Russia to advance to northern Ukraine from Belarusian territory on February 24, and in October ordered troops to deploy with Russian forces near the Ukrainian border.

Western military analysts say Belarus's small army lacks the strength and combat experience to make a decisive difference, but the risk that it might intervene from the north is a burdensome distraction for Ukraine as it focuses on fighting Russian forces in the south and east.