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Russia-Belarus Begin Strategic Biannual Exercises

20 September 2013 05:03 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. About 12,000 Russian servicemen will take part in joint biannual military exercises of Russia and Belarus beginning on Friday, APA reports quoting RIA Novosti.

The six-day drills, code named Zapad 2013 (West 2013), will be held on the territories 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 to 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 are held once in two years since 2009, Russian first deputy defense minister Arkady Bakhin earlier said.