MINSK, 29 August (BelTA) – Several details of the Belarusian-Russian strategic army exercise Zapad 2017 were disclosed by Chief of the General Staff, First Deputy Defense Minister Oleg Belokonev on 29 August, BelTA has learned. Oleg Belokonev will supervise the exercise on behalf of the Belarusian side.
According to the source, modern approaches to using military force were taken into account to put together the scenario of the exercise. The scenario draws upon the experience of armed conflicts of the last few years, tactical exercises, forms and ways of using military units as deemed fit by the Belarusian and Russian armies. In view of the events unfolding in the Middle East the core of the scenario stems from a similar crisis situation, which grows into a conflict involving illegal armed groups and international separatist and terrorist organizations with outside support.
According to the scenario, the opposing forces are located within the actual borders of Belarus. The situation deteriorated because of the intentions to destabilize the state of affairs in Belarus and worsen relations in the Union State of Belarus and Russia.
As part of the scenario Belarus is intent on preventing an armed conflict and the destabilization of the regional situation while Russia provides political support, financial, military technology aid, and military assistance to Belarus in accordance with the effective legal base.
The exercise is designed to prepare and deploy military forces with a view to ensuring the military security of the Union State of Belarus and Russia.
The Belarusian-Russian strategic army exercise Zapad 2017 will take place in Belarus and in three exercise areas in Russia on 14-20 September. No other army exercises will be held in Belarus in this period. The concept of the Zapad 2017 exercise was approved by Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko on 20 March.
