Zapad 2021 army exercise to demonstrate readiness to protect independence of Belarus, Russia
12:31, 2 April
All the joint events and military exercises of Belarus and Russia are designed to demonstrate the determination and the readiness to protect the sovereignty and independence of both countries. First Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Chief of the Central Operations Office Pavel Muraveiko made the statement during a festive event held in the Palace of the Republic on 2 April to celebrate the Day of Unity of the Peoples of Belarus and Russia, BelTA has learned.
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According to Pavel Muraveiko, the regular army exercise Zapad 2021 will be purely defensive. It will focus on modern forms of troops deployment. “I don't want any illusions. We are also studying and testing offensive actions, the application of modern forms and methods to combat hybrid warfare. We also keep an eye on information warfare. All the measures are designed to demonstrate our determination and readiness to protect sovereignty and independence of our countries,” he stressed.
The Belarusian-Russian strategic army exercise Zapad 2021 will take place in Belarus and Russia on 10-16 September. Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin previously stated: “The concept of the exercise is based on a possible variant of the escalation of the military and political situation with regard to a simulated state. A number of matters relating to the deployment of joint assault teams in an urbanized area will be practiced during the exercise. The performance of new and modernized military hardware specimens will be evaluated.” Viktor Khrenin confirmed that they intended to invite representatives of Western countries to observe the exercise.
Pavel Muraveiko also noted that the Belarusian-Russian regional military force and the joint air defense system represent important factors of strategic deterrence and demonstrate “the readiness and the ability of the Union State of Belarus and Russia, peace-loving approaches to our actions, and enable joint training of command and control bodies and the troops”.
