This footage shows another large batch of armoured personnel carriers arriving in Belarus from Russia.
An echelon with 34 units of equipment – corresponding to a battalion set – arrived in Brest on 5th December.
The arrival was announced by the Ministry of Defence of Belarus, which said in a statement: “Another batch of new BTR-82A, BTR-80K, armoured medical and recovery vehicles arrived in Belarus.
“In the coming days, the equipment will be delivered to the military units of the special operations forces of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus.
“The delivery was carried out in accordance with the rearmament plan.”
The Ministry claimed the shipment was “part of ensuring the military security” – presumably along the border with Ukraine – as Belarus and Russia plan “further combat coordination activities”.
Belarus’s Defence Ministry also announced a joint tactical flight exercise with Russia’s Aviation Forces.
Analysts assume that the new BTR-82As will enter service with the 38th Assault Brigade.
The Office for Strategic Communications (StratCom) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine responded to the news, stating: “Another batch of Russian military equipment and personnel arrived in Belarus – this was hastily reported by the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Belarus.
“It seems that it is planned to conduct joint flight-tactical exercises of aviation units of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus.
“But we all have already learned that you should not believe and trust such statements, if only because armoured personnel carriers ‘do not fly’ and in such quantities are clearly unnecessary for flight exercises.”
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 317th day of the invasion.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 6th January, Russia had lost about 110,250 personnel, 3,064 tanks, 6,124 armoured combat vehicles, 2,059 artillery units, 431 multiple launch rocket systems, 215 air defence systems, 285 warplanes, 272 helicopters, 1,844 drones, 723 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,797 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 182 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
The Ministry of Defence of Russia announced a temporary 36-hour-long ceasefire set to last from 6th January at 12am to 7th January at 12pm in a Telegram post late Thursday.
The United States Department of State called the truce announcement during Russian Orthodox Christmas a “cynical” proposition.
US President Joe Biden described the situation as Russian President Vladimir Putin “trying to find some oxygen”.
And US Department of State spokesperson Ned Price said: “Our concern is that the Russians would seek to use any temporary pause in fighting to rest, to refit, to regroup, and ultimately to re-attack.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Russia’s order for a ceasefire and called it a trick to slow down Ukraine’s defences in the Donbas region.
President Zelensky said: “They now want to use Christmas as a cover, albeit briefly, to stop the advances of our boys in Donbas and bring equipment, ammunition and mobilised troops closer to our positions.”
He added: “The war will end either when your soldiers leave or we throw them out.”
The White House announced that Germany will join the USA in providing additional Patriot missile systems to Ukraine.
Germany will also be sending armoured personnel carriers to Ukraine, according to an announcement after German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke with President Biden.
The German Minister for Economic Affairs, Robert Habeck, said it was a “good decision” for Germany to supply Ukraine with weapons.
