Belarus to Acquire Weapons Worth $1B from Russia

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko revealed that  plans are being formulated to purchase more than $1 billion worth of weapons from Russia.

He added that potential supplies of S-400 missile systems to the country are being discussed.

"The western direction of Belarus is now fully covered by S-300 missile systems. But we now have the southern direction," SB. Belarus Segodnya newspaper quoted Lukashenko as saying.

Already strained relations between Belarus and the West nosedived following the forced landing of a Ryanair commercial aircraft on May 23 to arrest dissident blogger Roman Protasevich and his Russian girlfriend Sofia Sapega who have not been heard of since.

Lukashenko announced earlier this month that Russia would soon supply Belarus with dozens of aircraft, helicopters, air defense systems and, possibly, S-400 missile systems.

Last week, Russia transferred at least three Su-30SM fighter jets to Baranovichi airfield amidst increased air patrolling by NATO along the borders of Belarus. The two countries are currently conducting West-2021 (Zapad-2021) exercises designed to train their militaries to respond to a NATO intervention.