China and Belarus commenced joint military drills on Monday, as announced by both nations’ defense ministries. The exercises are taking place near the Belarusian city of Brest, situated on the border with Poland, just a short distance from the NATO alliance’s eastern flank. The drills coincide with the eve of the NATO summit in Washington, D.C.

“Given the current global events and uneasy situation, we will practice new tactics and methods for executing tactical missions,” stated Major General Vadim Denisenko, head of Belarusian special operations command, as quoted by the Belarusian defense ministry on the Telegram messaging platform.

The maneuvers, codenamed “Falcon Assault,” are scheduled to run until July 19th. The Belarusian defense ministry emphasized that during these “anti-terrorist exercises,” military personnel from both countries will participate in training scenarios involving nighttime landings, overcoming water obstacles, and conducting operations within populated areas.

The Belarusian defense ministry also published a series of photographs on Telegram, showcasing Chinese troops arriving in Belarus on July 6th and unloading equipment. Subsequent posts on Monday depicted troops engaged in training exercises at the designated grounds. The exact number of troops involved in the drills remains unspecified.

China’s defense ministry issued a statement on Monday confirming the arrival of Chinese troops in Belarus on July 6th, describing the reception as a “grand welcome ceremony.” The statement further elaborated that the joint training aims to enhance the coordination capabilities of participating troops and deepen practical cooperation between the two armies.

In an unrelated Telegram post, the Belarusian defense ministry reported a significant increase in NATO troop presence along the Belarusian border, creating heightened tension in the region. The statement asserts that Belarus is taking all necessary measures to prevent escalation, but warns of a strong response should anyone cross the border.