Zapad 2013 military exercises begin in Belarus

The military exercises that provoked concerns of neighbouring countries will be held at 7 firing ranges in Belarus and the Kaliningrad Oblast (Russia).

The drills will end on September 26, BelarPAN news agency reports. The aim of the two-phase exercises is to practice preparation and use of the regional group of troops for ensuring military security of the “union state”.

During the first phase the united command of the regional military grouping is supposed to plan the application and management of the troops during deployment as well as isolation of areas where illegal armed units operate, the buildup of air force and air defence units for protecting major state and military installations. In the second phase the sides plan to practice troops management during military operations designed to stabilise the situation for the sake of ensuring the military security of the “union state”.

According to Leanid Maltsau, the state secretary of the Security Council, the firing ranges and the infrastructure are ready for the drills. “The troops of the Russian Federation taking part in the military exercises have already arrived at the starting positions and are ready to perform tasks. The drills will take place at 7 firing rangers in Belarus and the Kaliningrad Oblast in Russia. One battalion of the 103d mobile brigade already arrived at the Russian firing range,” the state secretary of the Security Council said.

Troops from Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Russia have arrived to take part in the maneuvers of the CSTO Collective Rapid Reaction Forces “Interaction 2013”.