Turchynov: Ukraine will monitor withdrawal of Russian troops from Belarus after Zapad-2017 exercises
Ukraine will monitor the withdrawal of Russian troops from Belarus after the completion of the Zapad-2017 exercises.
This was stated by Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksandr Turchynov, as reported on the site of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC).
“On September 21, after the completion of combat training in the Zapad-2017 exercises, Russian personnel, military equipment and weapons from the ranges located in the territory of Belarus will leave. Ukraine together with its partner countries will closely monitor the withdrawal of Russian troops from Belarus and return them to their points of permanent deployment,” Turchynov said.
He also said that on September 20, during the final stage of the Russian Federation’s exercises, a massive nuclear missile strike was staged with the involvement of the forces and assets of all three components of the nuclear triad.
Six Tu-95MS long-range aircraft and Tu-22M3 were engaged in this. Additionally, missiles were fired at sea targets.
According to the NSDC secretary’s information, missiles were fired at marine targets. “Rubezh” coastal missile system tasks forces fired at targets in the waters of the Laptev Sea, and Northern Fleet ship groups, led by the heavy nuclear missile battlecruiser Pyotr Veliky, fired at targets in the waters of the Barents Sea.
“The Russian Armed Forces’ rehearsal of a massive missile and air strike once again confirms the aggressive and offensive nature of Russia’s foreign policy and security policy, its willingness to escalate tension with the west, even up to the point of waging a full-scale ware, and demonstrates Russia’s desire to dominate in Europe,” Turchynov believes.