Zapad 2021 army exercise to demonstrate readiness to protect independence of Belarus, Russia

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”.