Satellite pictures: New Pontoon bridge & Russian troop deployment along Ukraine

Russia-Belarus drill: Fighters, tanks, Tornado rocket launchers in operation

Russia and Belarus conducted joint military drills near the Polish border amid the tensions over the migrant crisis.

The paratrooper exercise was conducted at the Gozhsky range in western Belarus with the Russian Il-76 aircraft and Belarusian helicopter taking part in the exercise. Amid tensions with Poland over the migrant crisis, Belarusian defence minister Viktor Khrenin said his forces were "ready to respond harshly to any attacks".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-poland-belarus-border-migrant-crisis-russia-flies-bombers-over-belarus-428313">Also Read:&nbsp;Amid Poland-Belarus border migrant crisis, Russia flies bombers over Belarus</a>

EU nations have accused Belarus President Lukashenko of escalating the migrant issue as several people mainly of Middle Eastern origin including women and children have gathered at the Polish border in order to enter Europe with many&nbsp;pushed back by Polish soldiers.

Watch:&nbsp;Belarus threatens to cut off gas to EU

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German foreign minister Heiko Maas accused Lukashenko of carrying out "inhumane activities" and said that the "EU is prepared to draw consequences". The migrant row has been brewing for some months as Poland two months ago had built a razor-wire border fence to keep the migrants at bay.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/belarus-bans-iraqis-syrians-and-yemenis-from-boarding-incoming-turkey-flights-to-curb-migrant-crisis-428794">Also Read:&nbsp;Belarus bans Iraqis, Syrians and Yemenis from boarding incoming Turkey flights to curb the migrant crisis</a>

Reports say at least ten migrants have died during the current crisis as Poland said it feared armed escalation as more migrants massed at the border.

Amid the row, Lukashenko threatened to cut gas supplies to Europe as relations between the Belarus and EU continued to go downhill.&nbsp;Russia however added that its ally did not consult Moscow on cutting gas flow to Europe.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-masterminding-the-migrant-crisis-at-poland-belarus-border-claims-polish-pm-428130">Also Read:&nbsp;Putin masterminding the migrant crisis at Poland-Belarus border, claims Polish PM</a>

US Vice-President Kamala Harris said the Biden administration was "very concerned" and paying close attention to the unfolding situation at the Polish-Belarus border while adding that &nbsp;Lukashenko was involved in "very troubling activity".

(With inputs from Agencies) 
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Russia and Belarus conducted joint military drills near the Polish border amid the tensions over the migrant crisis. The paratrooper exercise was conducted at the Gozhsky range in western Belarus with the Russian Il-76 aircraft and Belarusian helicopter taking part in the exercise.

Russia and Belarus conducted joint military drills near the Polish border amid the tensions over the migrant crisis. The paratrooper exercise was conducted at the Gozhsky range in western Belarus with the Russian Il-76 aircraft and Belarusian helicopter taking part in the exercise. Amid tensions with Poland over the migrant crisis, Belarusian defence minister Viktor Khrenin said his forces were "ready to respond harshly to any attacks". Also Read: Amid Poland-Belarus border migrant crisis, Russia flies bombers over Belarus EU nations have accused Belarus President Lukashenko of escalating the migrant issue as several people mainly of Middle Eastern origin including women and children have gathered at the Polish border in order to enter Europe with many pushed back by Polish soldiers. Watch: Belarus threatens to cut off gas to EU German foreign minister Heiko Maas accused Lukashenko of carrying out "inhumane activities" and said that the "EU is prepared to draw consequences". The migrant row has been brewing for some months as Poland two months ago had built a razor-wire border fence to keep the migrants at bay. Also Read: Belarus bans Iraqis, Syrians and Yemenis from boarding incoming Turkey flights to curb the migrant crisis Reports say at least ten migrants have died during the current crisis as Poland said it feared armed escalation as more migrants massed at the border. Amid the row, Lukashenko threatened to cut gas supplies to Europe as relations between the Belarus and EU continued to go downhill. Russia however added that its ally did not consult Moscow on cutting gas flow to Europe. Also Read: Putin masterminding the migrant crisis at Poland-Belarus border, claims Polish PM US Vice-President Kamala Harris said the Biden administration was "very concerned" and paying close attention to the unfolding situation at the Polish-Belarus border while adding that Lukashenko was involved in "very troubling activity". (With inputs from Agencies)

Russia, Belarus conduct military drills near Polish border amid migrant crisis

Amid tension at the Polish border over the migrant crisis, Russia said claims by Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki that Putin's regime was responsible was "unacceptable".

The Russian defence ministry said two Russian bombers carried out flights over Belarus.

The the nuclear-capable&nbsp;fighter jets were Tu-22M3 bombers which conducted tests on the two countries' joint air defence system, it said.

Polish PM Morawiecki had earlier accused Belarus of "state terrorism" as thousands of migrants gathered at the border while saying that he believed it was&nbsp;"quiet revenge" by Lukashenko for supporting the opposition.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-masterminding-the-migrant-crisis-at-poland-belarus-border-claims-polish-pm-428130">Also Read:&nbsp;Putin masterminding the migrant crisis at Poland-Belarus border, claims Polish PM</a>

Reports claimed migrants tried to breach the border once again as Polish authorities pushed them back. The migrants are mainly from the Middle East who have been trying to enter Europe.&nbsp;

Amid the escalating crisis, German President Angela Merkel called Putin to stop the "instrumentalisation of migrants by the Belarusian regime" declaring that it was "inhumane and unacceptable".

Watch:&nbsp;Migrant crisis at border between Poland and Belarus

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The Russian president reportedly said the EU should directly speak to Lukashenko over the crisis.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/poland-accuses-lukashenkos-regime-of-hybrid-attack-amid-migrant-crisis-428032">Also Read:&nbsp;Poland accuses Lukashenko’s regime of 'hybrid attack' amid migrant crisis</a>

Migrants continued to pour along the Poland-Belarus border braving the sub-zero temperatures as Polish guards continued to block their entry.

Meanwhile, UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet called the situation refugee situation "appalling" as she urged states to take immediate steps to de-escalate.

Reports said Polish authorities have detained at least 50 migrants as the country's defence ministry said there were attacks on the Polish border in several places.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Amid tension at the Polish border over the migrant crisis, Russia said claims by Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki that Putin's regime was responsible was "unacceptable".

Amid tension at the Polish border over the migrant crisis, Russia said claims by Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki that Putin's regime was responsible was "unacceptable". The Russian defence ministry said two Russian bombers carried out flights over Belarus. The the nuclear-capable fighter jets were Tu-22M3 bombers which conducted tests on the two countries' joint air defence system, it said. Polish PM Morawiecki had earlier accused Belarus of "state terrorism" as thousands of migrants gathered at the border while saying that he believed it was "quiet revenge" by Lukashenko for supporting the opposition. Also Read: Putin masterminding the migrant crisis at Poland-Belarus border, claims Polish PM Reports claimed migrants tried to breach the border once again as Polish authorities pushed them back. The migrants are mainly from the Middle East who have been trying to enter Europe. Amid the escalating crisis, German President Angela Merkel called Putin to stop the "instrumentalisation of migrants by the Belarusian regime" declaring that it was "inhumane and unacceptable". Watch: Migrant crisis at border between Poland and Belarus The Russian president reportedly said the EU should directly speak to Lukashenko over the crisis. Also Read: Poland accuses Lukashenko’s regime of 'hybrid attack' amid migrant crisis Migrants continued to pour along the Poland-Belarus border braving the sub-zero temperatures as Polish guards continued to block their entry. Meanwhile, UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet called the situation refugee situation "appalling" as she urged states to take immediate steps to de-escalate. Reports said Polish authorities have detained at least 50 migrants as the country's defence ministry said there were attacks on the Polish border in several places. (With inputs from Agencies)

Amid Poland-Belarus border migrant crisis, Russia flies bombers over Belarus

Russia used combat robots and tactical vehicles during the large scale military exercise "Zapad-2021" along the Belarus border involving thousands of troops.

Reports said Russia also used the Sarmat-2 tactical vehicle even as the country's defence ministry released pictures of Russian warships, jets and tanks taking part in the exercise.

Watch:

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The joint drill between Russia and Belarus involved at least 290 tanks including multiple launch rocket systems. The exercise began on Thursday and went on&nbsp;full gear on Friday even as President Putin said it was "not directed against anyone".&nbsp;

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Russia's ally Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko met Putin ahead of the exercise to deepen ties as the two leaders looked to sign integration agreements in November.

The exercise has however alerted Poland which declared a state of emergency along the eastern border as Polish PM Morawiecki warned of possible "provocations".

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Estonia defence forces commander Martin Helem added that "this could actually happen in the coming year", referring to a possible Russian military attack on Estonia.

Putin sought to downplay the drill even as he raised the Afghan issue, saying: "You can blame anything on Belarus, but at least take in the Afghans," the Russian president said while taking a dig at the EU.

Western nations have imposed several sanctions on Belarus over the past 18 months as Lukashenko has tilted towards Putin for support.

The exercise will continue until September 16 as Kremlin declared Putin would visit Belarus in November.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Russia used combat robots and tactical vehicles during the large scale military exercise "Zapad-2021" along the Belarus border involving thousands of troops. Reports said Russia also used the Sarmat-2 tactical vehicle even as the country's defence ministry released pictures of Russian warships, jets and tanks taking part in the exercise.

Russia used combat robots and tactical vehicles during the large scale military exercise "Zapad-2021" along the Belarus border involving thousands of troops. Reports said Russia also used the Sarmat-2 tactical vehicle even as the country's defence ministry released pictures of Russian warships, jets and tanks taking part in the exercise. Watch: The joint drill between Russia and Belarus involved at least 290 tanks including multiple launch rocket systems. The exercise began on Thursday and went on full gear on Friday even as President Putin said it was "not directed against anyone". Russia's ally Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko met Putin ahead of the exercise to deepen ties as the two leaders looked to sign integration agreements in November. The exercise has however alerted Poland which declared a state of emergency along the eastern border as Polish PM Morawiecki warned of possible "provocations". Estonia defence forces commander Martin Helem added that "this could actually happen in the coming year", referring to a possible Russian military attack on Estonia. Putin sought to downplay the drill even as he raised the Afghan issue, saying: "You can blame anything on Belarus, but at least take in the Afghans," the Russian president said while taking a dig at the EU. Western nations have imposed several sanctions on Belarus over the past 18 months as Lukashenko has tilted towards Putin for support. The exercise will continue until September 16 as Kremlin declared Putin would visit Belarus in November. (With inputs from Agencies)

Russia uses robots, tactical vehicles during joint drill with Belarus