2 Russian Paratroopers Killed in Belarus Drills Jump

Two Russian paratroopers died during snap military drills with Belarus, near its western border with EU member "Poland" on Friday.

The Defense Ministry in Moscow said the incident took place as the parachutes malfunctioned in strong winds. "Despite doctors' efforts both Russian servicemen died of their wounds," the ministry said in a statement carried by Russian news agencies.

Earlier Friday, Belarus and ally Russia held joint military drills near the western border with Poland where a migrant crisis is unfolding.

Moreover, Belarus's defense ministry said a "joint battalion tactical group" of paratroopers from both countries staged exercises at the Gozhsky range in western Belarus.

The ministry pointed out that the drills were carried out due to the "build-up of military activity" near the border.

Russian Il-76 aircraft and Belarusian military helicopters were involved in the drills, where servicemen were carrying out a "number of combat training tasks," it added.

The Defense Ministry in Moscow stated that it had sent paratroopers to Belarus for joint exercises as part of a "surprise combat readiness check."