A closing ceremony of joint strategic exercise Zapad-2021 was held at the Obuz-Lesnovsky proving ground on September 18. The countries checked the preparation of the Armed Forces and defined the prospects for future development. This is how Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin summarized the results of the exercises. These maneuvers were full of a number of peculiarities: they included the creation and use of various military formations, their management, practical training of interaction issues, and planning a counterattack. For the first time, the servicemen from Kazakhstan took part and practiced a number of issues as part of a regional grouping of troops.
Viktor Khrenin, Minister of Defense of Belarus:
The most important thing is that we were able to demonstrate that we can protect the independence and territorial integrity of the Union State through our joint efforts. Most importantly, our commanders and headquarters have gained practice in planning joint actions. We have managed to demonstrate that we can ensure the independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Union State. This is a clear and distinct signal to the collective West that talking from a position of force with the peoples of Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan is futile. We are aimed at dialogue.
Belarus is ready to defend its independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty
As stressed the military leadership, a detailed analysis of the maneuvers will be conducted. Together with the evaluation of all actions will be taken into account both positive aspects and negative ones. The Ministry of Defense noted that Belarus does not regard any country as an enemy, but we can quickly regroup our troops and repel the attack of any enemy, as well as defend the independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty. The head of the military department also congratulated the troops on the National Unity Day and noted that the end of the exercises symbolically coincided with this holiday.












