Contents tagged with Zapad 2017
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Two Russian planes violate Lithuanian air space during Zapad-2017 exercises
On Saturday, September 16, two Russian Il-76 military transport planes flew into Lithuanian air space, Delfi news agency reported, citing information from the Lithuanian Defense Ministry.
It was reported that the aircraft were over Lithuanian territory for a period of two minutes. They were sent from the Russian mainland to one of the airfields in the Kaliningrad region.
On Monday, the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry registered a protest with the Russian ambassador in connection with the incident, …
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Media: Russian-Belarussian Zapad-2107 exercises enter active phase
The joint military Zapad-2017 exercises conducted by Russia and Belarus entered an active phase, during which a simulated attack by a potential enemy will be worked through, reports Belarusian news agency BelTA.
The second stage of the exercises began on September 17, during which issues will be worked out regarding directing troops and conducting military operations in order to repel aggression against the countries.
According to the agency, there are about 12,700 servicemen participating in …
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Russia uses its newest T-27B3 tanks at Zapad 2017 military exercises
The forces of Russia’s Western Military District (WMD) have mobilized T-72B3 tanks with the latest modifications as part of the Zapad 2017 strategic exercises. The maneuvers were the first time the tanks were tested on a large scale, the military district’s press service announced this on Sunday.
“The Zapad 2017 joint strategic exercises were the first large-scale test for the crews of the T-72B3 tanks with the latest modifications, which became part of the armament of the Western Military …
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Ukrainian State Border Service: Russia does not have sufficient troops in Belarus to attack Ukraine
The troops of the Russian Federation that will be involved in the Zapad 2017 military exercises in Belarus are not enough to invade Ukraine, as stated by the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine Speaker Oleh Slobodyan on Pryamy TV. "I do not think that Putin is preparing to open a new front. Even if he is, the forces that they accumulated in Belarus are not sufficient for offensive actions, if we are talking about Ukraine. Although we should not forget about the Baltic countries," he said. …
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Lithuania urges Russia to cancel Zapad 2017 military exercises
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius urged Russia to cancel the planned Zapad 2017 large-scale military exercises in NATO’s eastern flank, DW.com reports.
“We are concerned by the fact that Moscow has relocated 4,000 systems capable of carrying nuclear weaponry to Belarus, and at least 30,000 soldiers. This dangerous saber-rattling must stop,” Linkevičius said in an interview with Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland.
According to him, the Russian figures of only 12,000 drill participants …
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Belarusian opposition staged a protest against Zapad-2017 military exercises
An unauthorized rally of the group "For a Peaceful Belarus" was held in Minsk, protesting the Russia-Belarus joint military exercises Zapad 2017, as reported on the tut.by website.
More than 100 people took part in the rally, including opposition politicians and activists. After it ended, those present on the square adopted a resolution. In particular, the protesters opposed the idea of Belarus being “drawn into a confrontation” between Russia and Ukraine.
The exercises will be held at …
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Ahead of Zapad-2017 military exercises Germany and France condemn Russia for 'strategy of intimidation'
Germany and France have criticized the future joint Zapad-2017 military exercises by Russia and Belarus, saying that Moscow is trying to demonstrate its military strength near the border with the EU and NATO.
"It is particularly important in this context that we reaffirm our presence in the face of...this demonstration the Russians are making, which is a strategy of intimidation," French Defense Minister Florence Parly said on September 7, as part of an informal meeting of the defense …
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Ukraine strengthens its borders ahead of Russian-Belarusian Zapad-2017 military exercises
The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine (SBGS) will intensify guarding the borders during the Zapad 2017 joint Russia-Belarus military exercise, as stated by Oleh Slobodyan, an assistant to the head of the SBGS.
According to Slobodyan, Russian troops began to arrive in Belarus before the beginning of the exercise. Therefore, "it is necessary to control the situation."
"We started command and staff exercises during which the border line was fortified in all directions without exception, …
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Muzhenko: Russia’s Zapad-2017 military exercises threaten NATO
The Zapad 2017 exercises have a broader context than it has been announced by Russia. They have the goal of preparing the Russian forces for offensive action, and are a threat both to NATO and to the states of the post-Soviet space, stated Viktor Muzhenko, Chief of the General Staff and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as reported by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.
“We are considering various scenarios of enemy action, including offensive action,” he noted.
According to …
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Putin and Lukashenko to inspect Zapad-2017 joint military exercise
The Presidents of Russia and Belarus, Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko, respectively plan to visit together the strategic Zapad (West) 2017 exercise, which will include large-scale maneuvers from both armies. Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Vladimir Putin explained to Izvestia newspaper that the two presidents intend to visit one of the training grounds in Russia.
The joint Russian-Belarusian strategic exercise Zapad 2017 will be held from September 14 to September 20, 2017. According to …