The "Zapad 2017" (West 2017) wide-ranging strategic exercise started on Thursday in Russia and Belarus. Tactical events, that involve field firing, aviation and anti-aircraft forces, will be held at three Russian ranges (Luzhsky, Strugi Krasnye and Pravdinsky) and six Belarusian ranges (Lepelsky, Losvido, Borisovsky, Osipovichesky, Ruzhansky and Domanovsky), as well as in the Dretun area.
The maneuvers involve up to 12,700 serviceman (about 7,200 from Belarus and about 5,500 from Russia), about 70 planes and helicopters, up to 680 military equipment units, including around 250 tanks, up to 200 weapons, multiple launch rocket systems and mortars and 10 ships. The exercise will run until September 20.
The Russian news agency TASS said that all Russian military units have arrived to Belarus to take part in the "West 2017" military exercise and are carrying out the set tasks, citing Belarusian Defense Ministry Spokesman Vladimir Makarov. "Military units involved in the drill, including the Russian ones, are on the territory of the Republic of Belarus and have already started performing the set tasks," the Defense Ministry's spokesman noted.
source: commonspace.eu with agencies
photo: Zapad 2017 kick off in Belarus (picture courtesy of TASS)
