Russia, Belarus Hold Joint Military Exercise

President Alyaksandr Lukashenka at military exercises in 2001 (epa) June 19, 2006 -- Belarusian and Russian forces have launched their largest joint military exercise.

A Belarusian Defense Ministry spokesman, Vyacheslav Remenchik, says about 7,000 Belarusian and 1,800 Russian troops are taking part in the weeklong maneuvers, which started on the weekend.

Exercises on June 19 feature 29 Belarusian and 19 Russian aircraft.

(AP)