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Belarus to Bolster Air Defense During Hockey Tournament

© RIA Novosti . Andrey Alexandrov / Go to the mediabankBaranovichi airbase, Belarus
Baranovichi airbase, Belarus - Sputnik International
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Belarus will bolster its air defense systems during the Ice Hockey World Championships in May, the Defense Ministry said Wednesday.

MOSCOW, February 19 (RIA Novosti) – Belarus will bolster its air defense systems during the Ice Hockey World Championships in May, the Defense Ministry said Wednesday.

Air defense divisions will be operating in a “special regime,” including raising the number of staff members on duty, the ministry’s newspaper “For the Glory of the Motherland” reported.

This is the first time that the ex-Soviet country is hosting the games, and it has undertaken special efforts to make sure they go off without a hitch.

It has also waived visas for foreigners during the games, which will run from May 9 to 25.

But European officials have bristled at a recent buildup of military forces in the country, which borders NATO members Poland, Lithuania and Latvia.

Russia moved four Su-27 fighter jets into the Baranovichi airbase in western Belarus in December, the first of a Russian squadron to be permanently assigned there by next year.

Russia also hopes an agreement with Belarus to create a joint regional airspace defense network will soon be extended to include Armenia and Kazakhstan.

 

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