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Two Russian paratroopers die in training accident in Belarus Two Russian paratroopers die in training accident near Belarus-Poland border
(32 minutes later)
Strong winds and parachute failure have resulted in the tragic death of two soldiers during joint Russian-Belarusian military drills, with one paratrooper trying to save the other until the very last moment. Strong winds and parachute failure have resulted in the tragic death of two paratroopers during joint Russian-Belarusian military drills, close to the tense Polish border on Friday, the Ministry of Defence has announced.
The incident occurred during a simulated airborne operation near the Belarusian city of Grodno, the Russian Defense Ministry has said. The operation was part of joint snap drills being held not far from the Polish border. One soldier reportedly tried to save the other until the last moment with the help of his reserve parachute, the Ministry added, but the system did not have time to start working due to the low altitude. 
Both paratroopers’ chutes collapsed at a low altitude due to a sudden wind blast, the ministry told TASS news agency in a statement. The two soldiers are described as having been contract servicemen and experienced paratroopers, who were certified as parachute jump instructors. The incident unfolded during a simulated airborne operation near the Belarusian city of Grodno. The operation was part of joint snap drills being held not far from the EU frontier, which is currently the seen of a stand-off over migrants. 
One of the soldiers tried to rescue himself and his fellow serviceman by using a reserve chute, the ministry said, but the attempt was unsuccessful. Both men succumbed to their injuries in the wake of the fall. Both men’s chutes collapsed at a low altitude due to a sudden wind blast, the ministry told TASS news agency in a statement. The two soldiers are described as having been contract servicemen and experienced paratroopers, who were certified as parachute jump instructors.
DETAILS TO FOLLOW Boith men were hospitalized in a local medical facility, but the paratroopers died "from their injuries."
Earlier on Friday, the ministry said some 250 Russian airborne troops had taken part in snap drills in Belarus. The exercise had involved a mission in unfamiliar terrain and joint tactical maneuvers with the Belarusian forces. The paratroopers are now returning to Russia from the Grodno region.
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