The joint exercises of Russia and Belarus "West-2021" have officially ended, leaving behind the "main question" to the Russian army, writes Breaking Defense.
"The real question with which to begin evaluating the exercises is not what Russia brought with it, but what Russia left behind," the American edition asks.
Breaking Defense assures that NATO countries every four years (Moscow and Minsk hold exercises with such frequency) are afraid that Russia, having sent troops to Belarus, will not then withdraw them back. According to the publication, such a development of events "will have serious consequences for the region, primarily for Ukraine."
"If Belarus becomes an appendage of the Russian Federation, Ukraine will be surrounded by Russian troops from three sides. It would also lead to a sharp escalation of the existential threat to Poland, the largest NATO frontline state, and would open a new border with Lithuania," the publication says.
The publication claims that after the ZAPAD-2021 exercises in Belarus, not far from the border with Poland, there were, in particular, Russian S-400 tRiumph anti-aircraft missile systems and Su-30SM fighters. "It's the same with Russian heavy equipment, which will remain in place," Breaking Defense notes.
In September, Defence24 wrote that the basic scenario of Russia's offensive on Poland and Lithuania involves the early introduction of Russian troops into Belarus, which was worked out by Moscow and Minsk during the rear part of the joint exercises "WEST-2021".
In the same month, the publication noted that Russia currently has about 3,500 tanks, 7,300 infantry fighting vehicles and 4,500 armored personnel carriers, as well as 4,800 artillery systems, mortars and multiple rocket launchers.
Ivan Potapov
