Belarus leader says his country will receive batch of weapons from Russia

Soldiers of Belarus’ military band perform during the Spasskaya Tower International Military Music Festival in Red Square in Moscow (Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP)

The authoritarian leader of Belarus said that the country will soon receive a large batch of Russian weapons, including dozens of combat jets, helicopters and top-of-the-line air defence missile systems.

President Alexander Lukashenko announced the expected acquisition as Russia and Belarus prepare to conduct joint war games starting next week that are set to involve about 200,000 troops.