MOSCOW, September 20 (RIA Novosti) – About 12,000 Russian servicemen will take part in joint biannual military exercises of Russia and Belarus beginning on Friday.
The six-day drills, codenamed Zapad 2013 (West 2013), will be held on the territory of the two states, including military bases in Belarus and Russia’s Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad, as well as Baltic and Barents sea waters. Over 2,500 Russian troops set off for Belarus on Monday.
Ships from Russia’s Baltic, Black Sea and Northern fleets will take part during the final stage of the exercises.
Observers from over 60 states will attend the two-stage drills, which will also involve “rapid-reaction” units from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).
The exercises have been held once every two years since 2009, Russian first deputy defense minister Arkady Bakhin earlier said.
