Ukraine news latest: Fresh fears sparked in Kyiv as Russia & Belarus begin joint military exercises & Dnipro deaths rise

RUSSIA and Belarus began joint military exercises today sparking fresh fears in Ukraine that Moscow could use its ally to launch a new ground offensive. Belarus’ Ministry of Defence has claimed that the main goal of the exercise is “to increase operational compatibility in the joint performance of combat training tasks”. The Ministry added: “Today, a joint tactical flight exercise of the aviation units of the armed forces of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation, which are part of the aviation component of the regional grouping of troops (forces), has started.” It comes as the death toll of Russia’s attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro has risen to 35, the governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region has claimed. Following the attack, Zelensky paid tribute to those who have lost their lives as a result of the war, saying: ”Eternal memory to all whose lives were taken by Russian terror!” Read our Ukraine war blog below for the latest news…