Russian and Belarusian army chiefs discuss joint military drills in Belarus - RIA

The chiefs of staff of the Russian and Belarusian armies discussed preparations for a joint military drill in Belarus this year by telephone on Wednesday, the RIA news agency cited the Belarusian Defence Ministry as saying.

Russia and Belarus are close allies. The discussions come amid rising tensions in Belarus, where huge nationwide street protests have raised the biggest challenge yet to President Alexander Lukashenko's 26-year rule.