The Obuz-Lesnovsky training ground (Belarus). September 15. INTERFAX-Barrel artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and Belarus destroyed strongholds and critical objects of a conditional enemy on the territory of the Obuz-Lesnovsky combined arms range during the active phase of the joint strategic exercise of the armed forces of the two countries "West-2021", the Russian Defense Ministry reported on Wednesday.
According to the report, self-propelled howitzers 2S1 "Gvozdika", self-propelled guns 2S5 "Hyacinth" together with multiple launch rocket systems "Grad" and "Hurricane", as well as "MSTA-S" made more than 1000 volleys and hit more than 200 targets that imitated conventional command posts, control points, enemy manpower.
More than 100 weapons and about 300 servicemen from the two countries participated in the artillery strike.
The joint Strategic Exercise (SSU) of the armed forces of the Russian Federation and Belarus takes place every two years in accordance with the decision taken by the heads of the two states.
The Zapad-2021 exercise is the final stage of the joint training of the armed forces of the two countries this year.
The practical actions of the troops (forces) take place in the period from 10 to 16 September 2021 at nine training grounds located on the territory of the Russian Federation, in the Baltic Sea, as well as at five training grounds of the armed forces of Belarus.
In total, up to 200 thousand personnel, about 80 aircraft and helicopters, up to 760 units of military equipment, including 290 tanks, 240 guns, multiple rocket launchers and mortars, as well as up to 15 ships take part in the SSU "West-2021" on the territory of the Russian Federation and Belarus.
The maximum number of personnel involved in the exercise of military units falling under the Vienna Document of 2011 in the territory of the Russian Federation does not exceed 6,400 military personnel.