Events

MINSK, 18 September (BelTA) – The concept of the Belarusian-Russian strategic army exercise Zapad 2017 is well-planned taking into account the experience of modern armed conflicts, BelTA learned from Alexander Borodeiko, Academic Secretary of the Belarusian regional branch of the Military Science Academy of Russia.

The expert pointed out that the Zapad 2017 concept stems from a possible crisis situation, which unfolds due the increasing activity of illegal armed groups, international separatist and terrorist organizations, which enjoy outside support. “The exercise follows the scenario, which really happens in some countries. The concept has been chosen well and fits the profile of modern threats,” said Alexander Borodeiko while referring to events in Syria, Egypt, and Iraq.

The expert underlined that during such exercises the troops bolster their classroom knowledge with hands-on practice in the field. “It allows mobilizing armed forces, testing new and upgraded technologies, and looking at possible problems in totality,” noted Alexander Borodeiko.

The Belarusian-Russian strategic army exercise Zapad 2017 began on 14 September to end on 20 September. In Belarus the regular army exercise areas Lepelsky, Borisovsky, Losvido, Osipovichsky, and the Air Force exercise areas Ruzhansky and Domanovo are used for the exercise in addition to two regular sectors of terrain in Vitebsk Oblast — Dretun and Glubokoye. In Russia the army exercise areas Luzhsky, Strugi Krasnyye, and Pravdinsky in Kaliningrad Oblast, Leningrad Oblast, and Pskov Oblast are used for the exercise.

Some 12,700 military personnel are taking part in the Zapad 2017 exercise. About 10,200 personnel are deployed in Belarus, with Belarus contributing slightly more than 7,000 people and Russia supplying about 3,000 troops. The Belarusian part of the exercise will also involve a total of 370 armored vehicles, including about 140 combat tanks. Up to 150 artillery units and multiple-launch rocket systems, over 40 aircraft and helicopters will be deployed as well.