Joint Belarusian-Russian rear exercises are being held in Belarus before the strategic exercises "West-2021". This was reported on Monday, August 23, by the press service of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic.
"From August 23 to 27, a joint special exercise with the forces and means of logistics, technical and logistical support of the armed forces of Belarus and Russia is being held at the Obuz-Lesnovsky training ground, the Lesishche training center, as well as at the points of permanent deployment of military units of logistics and technical support," the message reads.
The ministry noted that the purpose of the exercises is to check the readiness and ability of the military command bodies, forces and means of technical and logistical support of the armed forces of the two countries for joint actions, their interaction and field training, as well as preparation for the joint strategic exercise "West-2021".
In total, more than 1.3 thousand military personnel, more than 200 units of special and automotive equipment will participate in practical actions.
Earlier, on August 21, Deputy head of the Russian Defense Ministry Andrei Kartapolov said that the Belarusian-Russian exercises "West-2021" should show NATO countries that "it is not necessary to disturb the Russian bear." He clarified that the activity of the North Atlantic Alliance in Europe is aimed at showing the existence of a projection of a military threat.
On August 9, the Latvian Foreign Ministry allowed the occurrence of unforeseen border incidents involving NATO forces at the Zapad-2021 exercises.
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.
