Event 1021

{
  "attack_type": "Defense Prep",
  "category": "Aviation",
  "confidence": "High",
  "countries": [
    "Belarus",
    "Russia"
  ],
  "country": "Belarus",
  "description": "Russian military transport aircraft Il-76 and An-124-100 have begun actively delivering military cargo to the Belarusian Machulishchy air base since at least June 2025. The Machulishchy air base, capable of hosting large transport aircraft, is used by the Russian Aerospace Forces for troop and equipment deployments, including temporary basing of A-50 radar aircraft and MiG-31 fighters. Analysts connect the increase in Russian transport flights to Belarus with preparations for the Zapad-2025 joint military exercises scheduled for September. Belarusian officials assert that the exercises are defensive and aimed exclusively at enhancing bilateral military cooperation. NATO leadership remains cautious, warning that any aggression will be met with a devastating response, while monitoring Russian military activity in Belarus closely.",
  "event_time_utc": "2025-06-13T20:18:00Z",
  "evidence": [
    "Russian military transport aircraft Il-76 have begun flying actively to the Belarusian Machulishchy military air base.",
    "The Machulishchy air base is one of the few in Belarus capable of accommodating large military transport aircraft with heavy payloads.",
    "The Russian Aerospace Forces have used the Machulishchy airfield as a temporary deployment site for A-50 long-range radar detection aircraft and MiG-31 fighters.",
    "Analysts suggest that the current activity of Russian transport aviation with Il-76 aircraft may be related to preparations for the Zapad-2025 joint exercises, scheduled for September.",
    "Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin: 'We do this for ourselves and demonstrate that we are ready to defend ourselves and threaten no one.'",
    "NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte: 'If anyone decides that an attack on Poland or any of our allies will go unpunished, they will face the full force of the Alliance.'"
  ],
  "extra": {
    "extra": {
      "extra": {
        "evidence": [
          "Russian military transport aircraft Il-76 have begun flying actively to the Belarusian Machulishchy military air base.",
          "The Machulishchy air base is one of the few in Belarus capable of accommodating large military transport aircraft with heavy payloads.",
          "The Russian Aerospace Forces have used the Machulishchy airfield as a temporary deployment site for A-50 long-range radar detection aircraft and MiG-31 fighters.",
          "Analysts suggest that the current activity of Russian transport aviation with Il-76 aircraft may be related to preparations for the Zapad-2025 joint exercises, scheduled for September.",
          "Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin: 'We do this for ourselves and demonstrate that we are ready to defend ourselves and threaten no one.'",
          "NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte: 'If anyone decides that an attack on Poland or any of our allies will go unpunished, they will face the full force of the Alliance.'"
        ]
      },
      "indicators": [
        "Il-76",
        "An-124-100",
        "Machulishchy air base",
        "Zapad-2025"
      ],
      "similar_to": [
        {
          "event_id": 926,
          "reason": "Related to Russian regional military activity and preparations in neighboring countries amid the ongoing conflict.",
          "url": "https://militarnyi.com/en/news/planned-self-defense-unit-in-estonia-supported-by-russia/"
        }
      ]
    }
  },
  "media_assets": [
    {
      "capture_url": null,
      "captured_at": "2025-11-29T04:32:48.648112Z",
      "description": "SingleFile archive",
      "hash": "bbf5b6983dbe58ed8f2dd952754b139ce0498e3f5f3a2023f792cf11a52952e9",
      "mime": "text/html",
      "origin": "singlefile",
      "size_bytes": 7677122,
      "source_url": "https://militarnyi.com/en/news/russia-begins-delivering-military-cargo-to-belarus-via-il-76-aircraft/",
      "type": "document",
      "url": "/media/event_1021_20251129_043005_6631a0e1.html"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "v1",
  "summary_extended": "Since early 2025, Russian Il-76 and An-124-100 military transport aircraft have intensified deliveries of troops and equipment to Belarus' Machulishchy air base, a key facility capable of accommodating heavy military cargo planes. This increased aviation activity includes past use of the base as a temporary deployment point for Russian A-50 long-range radar planes and MiG-31 fighters engaged in operations related to the Ukraine conflict. Analysts and open-source tracking groups attribute the surge in transport flights to preparations for the Zapad-2025 joint military exercises planned for September, exercises that resemble the 2022 troop build-up that preceded Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin maintains the exercises are solely defensive and strengthen Belarus-Russia military interaction. Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned that the alliance will respond decisively to any unprovoked attacks, underscoring the careful international scrutiny of Russian military maneuvers in Belarus.",
  "summary_short": "Russia increases military cargo flights to Belarus’ Machulishchy air base ahead of Zapad-2025 exercises.",
  "url": "https://militarnyi.com/en/news/russia-begins-delivering-military-cargo-to-belarus-via-il-76-aircraft/",
  "where": "Air"
}

{
  "source": "admin_quick",
  "tags": [],
  "url": "https://militarnyi.com/en/news/russia-begins-delivering-military-cargo-to-belarus-via-il-76-aircraft/"
}