BREST, 6 June (BelTA) – The Belarusian-Russian-Serbian tactical exercise Slavic Brotherhood 2017 began in the Brestsky exercise area on 6 June, BelTA has learned.
Vadim Denisenko, Chief of the Special Operations Command of the Belarusian army, said: “We continue the complex of events that we began back in 2015: an army exercise of three friendly nations. During each exercise we practice carrying out missions depending on the territory we are in. Today we will begin in Belarus taking into account its terrain: rivers, swamps, and forests. We've also chosen the most difficult kind of job: combat actions at night.”
About 1,000 army personnel are taking part in the international exercise. Belarus is represented by the 38th Independent Guards Airborne Brigade. Russia is represented by personnel of the 76th Airborne Division of the Russian Airborne Forces. Personnel of the 63rd Parachute Battalion of a special brigade of the Serbian army arrived in Brest as well. Colonel Miroljub Cupic, second in command of the special brigade, explained that the brigade is one of a kind in the Serbian army. Only highly trained professionals are among its personnel.
According to the scenario of the exercise, a peacemaking force has been deployed in a certain country to carry out a counterterrorism operation. Military personnel of the three countries are tasked with stabilizing the situation in this region. The main action of the exercise will take place at night. The paratroopers will march at night, skydive, and shoot at night.
The Belarusian-Russian-Serbian tactical exercise Slavic Brotherhood 2017 is scheduled to end on 15 June. Over 150 units of equipment are involved in the exercise. In addition to other assets over 20 armored vehicles, ten automobiles, and six IL-76 cargo aircraft have been delivered from Russia to Brest for the exercise.
