Russia and Belarus Begin Joint Military Exercises
Allied Resolve 2022 exercises provide cover for invasion force positioning in final preparation for attack
Allied Resolve 2022 Exercises Provide Cover for Invasion Force
Russia and Belarus launched joint military exercises called “Allied Resolve 2022” on February 10, 2022, officially described as routine drills but widely viewed as final preparation for Russia’s planned invasion of Ukraine from Belarusian territory.
Key Facts
- Exercise name: Allied Resolve 2022
- Participants: Russian and Belarusian forces
- Duration: February 10-20, 2022
- True purpose: Cover for invasion force positioning
Official Justification
Both governments claimed the exercises were:
- Routine bilateral military cooperation
- Testing of joint defense capabilities
- Response to Western military activities
- Preparation for external threats
Force Composition
The exercises involved:
- Approximately 30,000 Russian troops in Belarus
- Advanced weapons systems
- Air force and air defense units
- Special operations forces
- Logistical support elements
Strategic Positioning
Russian forces deployed to:
- Training grounds near Ukrainian border
- Positions north of Kyiv
- Brest and Gomel regions
- Minsk area facilities
Western Intelligence Assessment
NATO and allied intelligence concluded:
- Exercises were pretext for invasion positioning
- Forces exceeded numbers needed for training
- Equipment suggested offensive rather than defensive operations
- Timing coordinated with broader military buildup
Belarusian Role
Lukashenko’s government:
- Provided staging areas for Russian forces
- Allowed use of Belarusian airspace
- Coordinated military planning
- Denied involvement in invasion preparations
International Concern
Western governments:
- Recognized exercises as invasion preparation
- Issued warnings about imminent attack
- Coordinated response planning
- Increased intelligence sharing
Ukrainian Response
Kyiv maintained:
- Awareness of true nature of exercises
- Defensive preparations along northern border
- Diplomatic efforts to prevent escalation
- Appeals for international support
Deception Operations
The exercise format provided:
- Plausible cover for troop movements
- Legal justification for presence in Belarus
- Confusion about actual intentions
- Delay in Western response preparation
Timeline Acceleration
As exercises progressed:
- Russian forces remained after official end date
- Additional equipment continued arriving
- Combat formations moved closer to border
- Attack preparations became evident
Historical Parallel
The exercises echoed Soviet practices of:
- Using military drills to mask aggressive intentions
- Coordinating with allied states for strategic positioning
- Maintaining plausible deniability until attack
- Exploiting element of surprise
Allied Resolve 2022 would be the final stage of Russian preparation before the February 24 invasion, demonstrating how military exercises could be weaponized as tools of deception and aggression.