Russian fighter pilots will take part in military aviation drills with close ally Belarus from January 16, 2023. (File: Russian Defence Ministry Press Service via AP Photo)

The two allies will conduct air force drills until Feb. 1 using all Belarus military airfields and began joint army exercises involving a "mechanised brigade subdivision", the Belarusian defence ministry said.

Minsk says the air drills are defensive and it will not enter the war.

Ukraine has continuously warned of possible attacks from Belarus, which has conducted numerous military exercises since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began, both on its own and jointly with Russia.