Putin visits Lukashenko to discuss military drills and the supply of weapons.

The Russian President said Russia will continue military drills with Belarus as his Belarusian counterpart hinted at the potential deployment of new weaponry in his country. Belarus has been testing aircraft in Russia capable of carrying ”special weapons,” President Alexander Lukashenko told reporters at a joint news conference with Putin in Minsk late Monday. However, Lukashenko has not revealed what sort of weapons he meant. Putin said that Russia will hold regular joint exercises with Belarus and ensure deliveries of weapons and joint production of military equipment. Lukashenko noted that Russian S-400 air-defense systems and Iskander short-range missiles were deployed on Belarusian territory after discussions with Putin. Ukrainian officials warned this month that Russia might be preparing for a major winter escalation in aggression, including another possible attempt to invade Kyiv.