Zapad 2017 exercise

NATO is increasing its military presence in the Atlantic and Arctic regions. This is the first phase of the major military exercise "Steadfast Defender 2024", which will last until mid-March. From mid-February to the end of May, military personnel from the Arctic and the Eastern Flank will also be trained. Nearly 90,000 military personnel are participating in the exercise.

This was stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin at a meeting with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko.

The Belarusian army has started military exercises right next to the border with Poland, a day after it was reported from Poland that there is a real fear of the country's conflict with Russia.

China's Defence Ministry has announced that its People's Liberation Army will participate in the strategic command and staff exercise Vostok-2022 in Russia in which India, Belarus, Tajikistan and Mongolia are also participants.

The Russian and Belarusian armies started ten-day maneuvers in Belarus today, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced. This is happening at a time of heightened tensions between Russia and the West over Ukraine, according to world agencies.

NATO on Monday inaugurated a new multinational force, the Multinational NATO South-East Brigade, headquartered in Craiova, southern Romania, aimed at countering Russia's increased threat to the Black Sea region.

Chairman of NATO's Military Committee Petr Pavel says there are reasons for concern over Russia-Belarus military maneuvers Zapad (West) 2017.

According to him, the exercise "could be seen" a "serious preparations for big war".

In addition, Pavel also said that NATO was "not competing with Russia for the Western Balkans".

Russia’s Iskander-M system has carried out a successful test-launch of its advanced missile at maxim range as part of the Zapad 2017 military exercises, the defense ministry said.
Russia’s Iskander-M system has carried out a successful test-launch of its advanced missile at maxim range as part of the Zapad 2017 military exercises, the defense ministry said.

Chairman of NATO's Military Committee Petr Pavel says there are reasons for concern over Russia-Belarus military maneuvers Zapad (West) 2017.

According to him, the exercise "could be seen" a "serious preparations for big war".

Russia began on Sept. 14 major joint military exercises with Belarus along the European Union's eastern flank - a show of strength that has rattled nervous NATO members.