The Belarusian-Russian exercises "West-2021", which will be held in September, should show the NATO countries that it is not necessary to disturb the "Russian bear", said Deputy Defense Minister of the Russian Federation Andrey Kartapolov.
According to Kartapolov, NATO's military activity in Europe is designed to show that there is a projection of a military threat, "so that we feel and understand it."
"We are ready for these hints, and I believe that during the Zapad-2021 exercises we will once again try to show our partners that it is not necessary to do this — there is no need to disturb the Russian bear, "Kartapolov said on August 20 on the air of the Moscow Says radio station.
Earlier this day, the first deputy head of the Main Department of International Military Cooperation of the Russian Defense Ministry, Major General Yevgeny Ilyin, said that about 200 thousand military personnel will be involved in the joint strategic exercises of Russia and Belarus "West-2021".
On August 9, the Latvian Foreign Ministry allowed the occurrence of unforeseen border incidents involving NATO forces at the Belarusian-Russian exercises "West-2021".
The strategic events "West-2021" will be held from September 10 to 19. In addition to the military from the Union State, contingents and observers from some SCO and CSTO countries are invited to them. These exercises are held every four years.
