Russia and Belarus have begun joint military exercises close to Belarus’s borders near Ukraine, further inflaming tensions in the region and triggering Kyiv to conduct its own military exercises in response. The Russia–Belarus military drill, which began on Feb. 10, will reportedly last for 10 days. Moscow has committed 30,000 troops while almost the entirety of the armed forces of Belarus is taking part in the exercises. Russia is expected to use Spetsnaz special operations forces, S-400 missile defense systems, SU-35 fighter jets, and nuclear-capable Iskander missiles during the joint exercise according to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. Ukraine launched its war games on Thursday which will run until Feb. 20. Ukrainian forces will deploy NLAW anti-tank weapons, Javelin anti-tank missiles, and Bayraktar drones for the exercise. Roughly 10,000 troop members are taking part in the drills. “The armed forces of Ukraine are ready. We are capable and we will not …