The joint strategic military exercise Zapad 2017 will start tomorrow. The Ministry of Defense once again stressed that the exercise is purely defensive in nature. The drills are aimed at training the troops in the interests of the security of the Union State. According to the teaching plan of the drills, a conflict is escalating in the region as a result of the activity of illegal armed groups and international separatist and terrorist organizations.
The exercise will take place at six training ranges in Belarus, as well as terrain compartments in Vitebsk Region. In addition, three training grounds will be used in Russia.
A total of 12,700 servicemen from Belarus and Russia will take part in the joint maneuvers, of which just over 10,000 will be deployed in the Belarusian territory. The total number of armoured vehicles is 370 units, including about 140 tanks. The drills will also involve up to 150 units of artillery and missile fire systems, and over 40 aircraft and helicopters.
Oleg Voinov, the Head of the International Military Cooperation Department of the Belarusian Defense Ministry:
"We note that in order to avoid tensions with Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia we chose the training grounds that are at a considerable distance from the national border."
According to the legend of the drills, the joint forces of the Belarusian and Russian military will be covering the national border, defend military facilities, and eliminate the illegal armed groups.
Belteleradiocompany’s correspondents will follow all the maneuvers from the early morning tomorrow. The latest updates will be broadcast by TV Channel Belarus 1.
