Russia Begins Joint Exercises with Belarus

The Ministry of Defense in Belarus announced the start of a training course for the joint command staff of the regional forces of the two countries. The ministry added in a statement that this comes as part of preparations for the joint exercises that will be conducted by the two countries in Russia. The acting head of the Donetsk People's Republic, Denis Pushilin, stated that Russian units are advancing despite the reinforcement of Ukrainian positions in the territories of industrial facilities along the front line. He added, "Yes, the enemy is still steadfast and fortified in the territories of the many industrial facilities along the contact line. The situation is becoming more difficult because the heavy losses among Ukrainian forces are not significant enough for the Ukrainian leadership to issue orders to retreat, but the advance of Russian units continues."