The armed forces of Belarus launched surprise large-scale drills on May 5 amid Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine. Minsk said the exercise posed no threat to its neighbours or the European community. Ukrainian officials have reportedly said that Kyiv will be ready if Belarusian forces join Russia's war efforts in Ukraine. Kyiv has repeatedly accused Belarus of joining Russia in its invasion of Ukraine. Meanwhile, Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko says he didn't think Russia's operation i