MOSCOW, 29 August (BelTA) – The Belarusian-Russian strategic army exercise Zapad 2017, which is scheduled for 14-20 September, will pursue counterterrorism goals. The statement was made by Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin during the media briefing held in Moscow on 29 August for foreign military attachés and reporters, BelTA has learned.
According to the source, in line with the scenario of the exercise extremist groups intent on acts of terrorism and destabilizing the situation in the Union State of Belarus and Russia have penetrated Belarus and Russia's Kaliningrad Oblast. It is believed that the extremists enjoy outside assistance and get supplies, weapons, and military hardware by air and by sea.
There are plans to practice several tactical episodes while fighting the aggressor. First, assets and units of the regional military group will be deployed to the areas where the illegal armed groups operate in order to isolate them. Second, Air Force and air defense units will practice supporting the ground troops and suppressing the aerial supply channels of the illegal armed groups. Then a special operation will be staged to eliminate the illegal armed groups and stabilize the situation. Apart from that, the Baltic fleet will provide a naval blockade of the area of operation and will prevent the militants from withdrawing by sea.
