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'''Zapad 2017''' ({{lang-rus|«Запад-2017»}}, {{Lang-be|Захад-2017}}) is a planned joint strategic ] of the ] and ] (the ]) scheduled for 14—20 September 2017, to be held in Belarus and ]′s ] and other north-western areas. According to the information made public by the ] prior to the exercise,<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|title=Глава Минобороны Белоруссии: учение "Запад-2017" не направлено против третьих стран|url=http://tass.ru/opinions/interviews/4419507|work=ТАСС|accessdate=2017-07-17|language=ru}}</ref><ref name="detailsunv" /> fewer than 13,000 personnel of the Union State are to take part in the military maneuvers, a number that does not trigger mandatory formal notification and invitation of observers under the ]′s ].<ref> The Economist, 10 August 2017.</ref> Western analysts, however, believed in July 2017 that the total number of Russian troops, security personnel and civilian officials to be involved in the broader war-games will range from 60,000 to 100,000,<ref name="concern" /> which would make them Russia′s largest since the ].<ref> NBC NEWS, 2 August 2017.</ref> Since 2016, concerns have been voiced in a number of ] countries over Russia′s suspected ulterior motives and objectives in connection with the exercise.<ref> DW, 14 July 2017.</ref><ref> 29 November 2016.</ref> '''Zapad 2017''' ({{lang-rus|«Запад-2017»}}, {{Lang-be|Захад-2017}}) is a planned joint strategic ] of the ] and ] (the ]) scheduled for 14—20 September 2017, to be held in Belarus and ]′s ] and other north-western areas. According to the information made public by the ] prior to the exercise,<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|title=Глава Минобороны Белоруссии: учение "Запад-2017" не направлено против третьих стран|url=http://tass.ru/opinions/interviews/4419507|work=ТАСС|accessdate=2017-07-17|language=ru}}</ref><ref name="detailsunv" /> fewer than 13,000 personnel of the Union State are to take part in the military maneuvers, a number that does not trigger mandatory formal notification and invitation of observers under the ]′s ].<ref> The Economist, 10 August 2017.</ref>


== Background and advance information about the drills == == Background and advance information about the drills ==
{{also|Exercise Zapad-81|Zapad-99 exercise}}
Belarus is a member of ] (CSTO), a Eurasian military alliance of some of the former ] ] led by Russia;<ref> ], 10 January 2017.</ref> it chairs the bloc in 2017.<ref> ], 23 August 2017.</ref><ref> ODKB, 15 June 2017.</ref> The ''Zapad'' military drills is a scheduled activity that was meant to be held on alternate years, alternately in Russia and Belarus, pursuant to the agreement reached by presidents of the Russia and Belarus in September 2009<ref>{{Cite news|title=Дмитрий Медведев и Президент Белоруссии Александр Лукашенко наблюдали заключительный этап оперативно-стратегических учений «Запад-2009».|author=|url=http://kremlin.ru/events/president/news/5613|work=Official web site of president of Russia|date=2017-09-29|language=ru-RU}}</ref>. Zapad 2017 is the first Zapad exercise since 2013. Belarus is a member of ] (CSTO), a Eurasian military alliance of some of the former ] ] led by Russia;<ref> ], 10 January 2017.</ref> it chairs the bloc in 2017.<ref> ], 23 August 2017.</ref><ref> ODKB, 15 June 2017.</ref> The ''Zapad'' military drills is a scheduled activity that was meant to be held on alternate years, alternately in Russia and Belarus, pursuant to the agreement reached by presidents of the Russia and Belarus in September 2009<ref>{{Cite news|title=Дмитрий Медведев и Президент Белоруссии Александр Лукашенко наблюдали заключительный этап оперативно-стратегических учений «Запад-2009».|author=|url=http://kremlin.ru/events/president/news/5613|work=Official web site of president of Russia|date=2017-09-29|language=ru-RU}}</ref>. Zapad 2017 is the first Zapad exercise since 2013.


The plan of the exercise was approved by Belarus president ] on 20 March 2017: it envisaged two stages and its theme was defined as ″the use of groupings of troops (forces) in the interests of ensuring the military security of the Union State″.<ref> 20 March 2017 {{ru icon}}.</ref><ref> ], 20 March 2017 {{ru icon}}.</ref> The number of troops to be involved, according to ] ], would not to exceed the threshold stipulated by the 2011 Vienna Document — no more than 13,000 personnel; geographically, it would span from multiple locations in Belarus to the ] within Russia′s ].<ref name="detailsunv"> ], 20 March 2017.</ref> It was expected that some units of Russia′s ], which was reconstituted in 2014, as well as 25 Russian aircraft would take part in the exercise in Belarus.<ref> ], 20 March 2017.</ref><ref> Interfax, 20 March 2017.</ref> According to Western media reports in July 2017, the tank army′s task would be to establish a forward command post in western Belarus, and to hold exercises in training areas near the city of ].<ref name="concern" /> On 13 July 2017, the NATO-Russia Council convened in ], in the course of which the two sides briefed each other on their upcoming drills: Zapad 2017 and NATO′s Exercise Trident Javelin 2017.<ref> nato.int , 13 July 2013.</ref><ref> Reuters, 13 July 2017.</ref> The plan of the exercise was approved by Belarus president ] on 20 March 2017: it envisaged two stages and its theme was defined as ″the use of groupings of troops (forces) in the interests of ensuring the military security of the Union State″.<ref> 20 March 2017 {{ru icon}}.</ref><ref> ], 20 March 2017 {{ru icon}}.</ref> The number of troops to be involved, according to ] ], would not to exceed the threshold stipulated by the 2011 Vienna Document — no more than 13,000 personnel; geographically, it would span from multiple locations in Belarus to the ] within Russia′s ].<ref name="detailsunv"> ], 20 March 2017.</ref> It was expected that some units of Russia′s ], which was reconstituted in 2014, as well as 25 Russian aircraft would take part in the exercise in Belarus.<ref> ], 20 March 2017.</ref><ref> Interfax, 20 March 2017.</ref> According to Western media reports in July 2017, the tank army′s task would be to establish a forward command post in western Belarus, and to hold exercises in training areas near the city of ].<ref name="concern">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/31/world/europe/russia-military-exercise-zapad-west.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=first-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news|title=Russia’s Military Drills Near NATO Border Raise Fears of Aggression|date=2017-07-31|newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> On 13 July 2017, the NATO-Russia Council convened in ], in the course of which the two sides briefed each other on their upcoming drills: Zapad 2017 and NATO′s Exercise Trident Javelin 2017.<ref> nato.int , 13 July 2013.</ref><ref> Reuters, 13 July 2017.</ref>


Observers from ] have been invited to Zapad-2017 by both Belarus and Russia.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Столтенберг поприветствовал приглашение Россией наблюдателей НАТО на "Запад-2017"|author=|url=https://ria.ru/defense_safety/20170313/1489889032.html|work=РИА Новости|date=|accessdate=2017-06-28|language=ru}}</ref><ref></ref> The Belarusian foreign ministry said in mid-July 2017 that they had notified all the OSCE countries and intended to invite observers from a number of international organisations as well as from ], ], ], ], ], ], and ].<ref name="belmid"> {{ru icon}}</ref> Also, Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko invited the U.S. delegation to the ]<ref>{{Cite news|title=Лукашенко пригласил американскую делегацию ОБСЕ на учения «Запад-2017»‍|url= https://www.belnovosti.by/politika/lukashenko-priglasil-amerikanskuyu-delegaciyu-obse-na-ucheniya-zapad-2017|work= Белновости|date=2017-07-10|language=ru-RU}}</ref>.On 12 July 2017, in Vienna, Major-General Pavel Muraveiko, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the ], gave a detailed briefing on Zapad-2017 to the participants of the OSCE conference<ref name="belmid" /><ref>{{Cite news|title=Замначальника Генштаба ВС Беларуси во время форума ОБСЕ проведет брифинг на тему учений "Запад-2017"|url=http://www.belta.by/society/view/zamnachalnika-genshtaba-vs-belarusi-vo-vremja-foruma-obse-provedet-brifing-na-temu-uchenij-zapad-2017-256963-2017/|work=Белорусское телеграфное агентство|date=2017-07-12|accessdate=2017-07-15|language=ru-RU}}</ref>. Observers from ] have been invited to Zapad-2017 by both Belarus and Russia.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Столтенберг поприветствовал приглашение Россией наблюдателей НАТО на "Запад-2017"|author=|url=https://ria.ru/defense_safety/20170313/1489889032.html|work=РИА Новости|date=|accessdate=2017-06-28|language=ru}}</ref><ref></ref> The Belarusian foreign ministry said in mid-July 2017 that they had notified all the OSCE countries and intended to invite observers from a number of international organisations as well as from ], ], ], ], ], ], and ].<ref name="belmid"> {{ru icon}}</ref> Also, Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko invited the U.S. delegation to the ]<ref>{{Cite news|title=Лукашенко пригласил американскую делегацию ОБСЕ на учения «Запад-2017»‍|url= https://www.belnovosti.by/politika/lukashenko-priglasil-amerikanskuyu-delegaciyu-obse-na-ucheniya-zapad-2017|work= Белновости|date=2017-07-10|language=ru-RU}}</ref>.On 12 July 2017, in Vienna, Major-General Pavel Muraveiko, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the ], gave a detailed briefing on Zapad-2017 to the participants of the OSCE conference<ref name="belmid" /><ref>{{Cite news|title=Замначальника Генштаба ВС Беларуси во время форума ОБСЕ проведет брифинг на тему учений "Запад-2017"|url=http://www.belta.by/society/view/zamnachalnika-genshtaba-vs-belarusi-vo-vremja-foruma-obse-provedet-brifing-na-temu-uchenij-zapad-2017-256963-2017/|work=Белорусское телеграфное агентство|date=2017-07-12|accessdate=2017-07-15|language=ru-RU}}</ref>.


In mid-August, Lithuania said that it would send its military observers to the Zapad 2017 drills, in Belarus and ].<ref></ref><ref></ref> Latvia, who previously, on 14 August, said it was still awaiting the relevant invitation from Russia,<ref> TASS, 14 August 2017.</ref> said it would send 3 observers, including its ] in Moscow, who was invited as an observer by Moscow.<ref> TASS, 17 August 2017.</ref><ref> 17.08.2017.</ref> On 22 August, the Belarusian defence ministry said that observers from the UN, OSCE, NATO, ] (CIS), ] (CSTO), and ] as well as from Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine, Estonia, Sweden, and Norway had been invited to Zapad 2017.<ref></ref> In mid-August, Lithuania said that it would send its military observers to the Zapad 2017 drills, in Belarus and ].<ref></ref><ref></ref> Latvia, who previously, on 14 August, said it was still awaiting the relevant invitation from Russia,<ref> TASS, 14 August 2017.</ref> said it would send 3 observers, including its ] in Moscow, who was invited as an observer by Moscow.<ref> TASS, 17 August 2017.</ref><ref> 17.08.2017.</ref> On 22 August, the Belarusian defence ministry said that observers from the UN, OSCE, NATO, ] (CIS), ] (CSTO), and ] as well as from Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine, Estonia, Sweden, and Norway had been invited to Zapad 2017.<ref></ref>

== Expert opinions and speculations prior to the drills ==
{{also|Russo-Georgian War|Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation}}
Months prior to the Zapad 2017 exercise, NATO officials and Western military analysts began to speculate about the true number of troops to be involved as well as Russia′s possible objectives other than those publicly announced. Such speculations were based on what was perceived as Russia′s record of unannounced snap military exercises, and use of drills as a cover for military incursions,<ref>Rachel Ansley. </ref><ref>Peter Walker. The Independent, 9 February 2017.</ref><ref> Reuters, 12 August 2016.</ref><ref>Col. Tomasz K. Kowalik and Dominik P. Jankowski ], 9 May 2017.</ref> as well as a development of Russia′s military posture in the country′s western regions undertaken in 2016 that suggested plans for a protracted large-scale war.<ref>Stephen Blank. ], 30 March 2017.</ref> The theories mainly focused on Russia′s putative schemes to attack Ukraine and/or reinforce Russia′s military presence in Belarus with a view to further threatening ] and ],<ref> ], 26 January 2017.</ref><ref> VOA, 11 August 2017.</ref><ref> The Economist, 10 August 2017.</ref> or the Suwałki gap (the ] area) that is perceived by NATO strategists as vulnerable because of the geography.<ref> Reuters, 18 June 2017.</ref><ref> CNN, 15 August 2017.</ref> It was also suggested that the Union State created by Russia and Belarus in 1999 could be used by Russia as a legal cover to absorb Belarus.<ref> CNBC, 19 August 2017.</ref>

On the other hand, ], a Research Fellow at the ] in London, suggested in August 2017 that the Zapad 2017 exercise was primarily meant as ″a show of force″, with the main rational purpose to ensure Moscow is capable of moving its troops around quickly through the vast terrain; he also noted that Russia′s military efforts were ″already overstretched″.<ref> The Independent, 21 August 2017.</ref>

== Reactions of NATO and Ukraine prior to the drills ==
{{also|NATO–Russia relations|Enlargement of NATO}}
In the run-up to Zapad 2017, NATO and NATO member countries′ officials sounded their concern and called on Russia to allow inspections of the drills for the purposes of transparency.<ref> Interfax, 13 July 2017.</ref><ref name="concern">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/31/world/europe/russia-military-exercise-zapad-west.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=first-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news|title=Russia’s Military Drills Near NATO Border Raise Fears of Aggression|newspaper=The New York Times|date=2017-07-31}}</ref><ref> ], 10 February 2017.</ref> In July and August 2017, a number of NATO countries′ senior military officials such as U.S. general ], commander of the ], Poland’s Deputy Defence Minister ], and ], commanding general, ], expressed their suspicion that the maneuvers might be used as a pretext to increase Russia’s military presence in Belarus and permanently deploy its troops there in a bid to counterbalance NATO's eastern reinforcement.<ref></ref><ref> Reuters, 20 July 2017.</ref><ref name="concern" /><ref> ], 21 August 2017.</ref> On their part, Russia and Belarus maintained that Zapad 2017 was a scheduled event of strictly defensive nature, its scale being significantly smaller than NATO′s analogous drills.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://function.mil.ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12129809@egNews|title=Глава военного ведомства России генерал армии Сергей Шойгу провел в Калининграде выездное заседание Коллегии Министерства обороны : Министерство обороны Российской Федерации|publisher=Russian MoD|date=2017-06-21}}</ref>

On 20 June 2017, NATO Secretary General ] answering a question about the exercise said: ″We are going to follow and monitor the Zapad exercise area here closely, and all nations have the right to exercise their forces but it is important that nations, be it Belarus or Russia, exercise their forces that they do that in accordance with well established guidelines and agreements and international obligations and we have something called the Vienna document which outlines how exercises have to be notified and be subject to international inspections and we call on Russia and also Belarus to do that in accordance with the Vienna document so that we have transparency, predictability related to Zapad 2017. We are also working in the framework of the NATO-Russia Council to have more transparency, predictability, connected to military posture but also exercises, and that is always important but especially important now when we see more military presence along our borders in this region. It’s even more important to have transparency, international observation of exercises like Zapad.″<ref>{{Cite news|title=Joint press point with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė|url=http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/opinions_145109.htm|work=NATO|date=2017-06-20}}</ref>

On 16 August 2017, the Ukrainian Defense Minister ] told journalists: ″We are monitoring the situation. We are aware of all the movements of Russian troops along our border. We realize which threats may arise, and we are going to adequately respond to both the existing threats and the threats posed by the war game.”<ref> ], 16 August 2017.</ref><ref> ], 16 August 2017.</ref>


==Preparatory drills and logistical preparations== ==Preparatory drills and logistical preparations==
On 7 August 2017<ref> MoD of Russia, 9 August 2017.</ref>, Russia’s ], the most powerful of its four fleets, began special large-scale drills that were announced by Russian official media as a preparatory phase of the Zapad 2017 exercise; it was commanded directly by the commander-in-chief of the ], Admiral ].<ref> Jane′s, 17 August 2017.</ref><ref> Interfax, 8 August 2017.</ref><ref> defence.Ru, 8 August 2017.</ref><ref> MoD of Russia, 9 August 2017.</ref>

Officially billed by the ] as part of preparations for Zapad 2017, on 23 August 2017, Russia and Belarus began joint tactical aviation drills that involved redeployment of aircraft and helicopters of the ] to Belarusian military airfields; among other things, landing on a motorway was to be practised.<ref> Interfax, 22 August 2017.</ref><ref></ref><ref></ref><ref> Interfax, 23 August 2017.</ref><ref></ref> Officially billed by the ] as part of preparations for Zapad 2017, on 23 August 2017, Russia and Belarus began joint tactical aviation drills that involved redeployment of aircraft and helicopters of the ] to Belarusian military airfields; among other things, landing on a motorway was to be practised.<ref> Interfax, 22 August 2017.</ref><ref></ref><ref></ref><ref> Interfax, 23 August 2017.</ref><ref></ref>


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==See also== ==See also==
*] *]
*]


== References == == References ==
{{reflist}} {{reflist}}
*

== External links ==
* ] ]
* (Zapad 2017){{be icon}}
* {{cite web |url=https://informnapalm.org/39417-manevry-zapad-2017-foto-video/ |title=Маневры «Запад-2017» используют для прикрытия переброски ударных бронетанковых групп |author= |date=2017-08-09 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20170809114114/https://informnapalm.org/39417-manevry-zapad-2017-foto-video/ |archivedate=2017-08-09 |website=informnapalm.org |publisher=] |access-date=2017-08-09}}


] ]

Revision as of 19:27, 24 August 2017

Zapad 2017 (Russian: «Запад-2017», Template:Lang-be) is a planned joint strategic military exercise of the armed forces of the Russian Federation and Belarus (the Union State) scheduled for 14—20 September 2017, to be held in Belarus and Russia′s Kaliningrad Oblast and other north-western areas. According to the information made public by the Defence Ministry of Belarus prior to the exercise, fewer than 13,000 personnel of the Union State are to take part in the military maneuvers, a number that does not trigger mandatory formal notification and invitation of observers under the OSCE′s Vienna Document.

Background and advance information about the drills

Belarus is a member of Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a Eurasian military alliance of some of the former USSR republics led by Russia; it chairs the bloc in 2017. The Zapad military drills is a scheduled activity that was meant to be held on alternate years, alternately in Russia and Belarus, pursuant to the agreement reached by presidents of the Russia and Belarus in September 2009. Zapad 2017 is the first Zapad exercise since 2013.

The plan of the exercise was approved by Belarus president Alexander Lukashenko on 20 March 2017: it envisaged two stages and its theme was defined as ″the use of groupings of troops (forces) in the interests of ensuring the military security of the Union State″. The number of troops to be involved, according to Belarusian Defense Minister Andrei Ravkov, would not to exceed the threshold stipulated by the 2011 Vienna Document — no more than 13,000 personnel; geographically, it would span from multiple locations in Belarus to the Kola Peninsula within Russia′s Arctic Circle. It was expected that some units of Russia′s 1st Guards Tank Army, which was reconstituted in 2014, as well as 25 Russian aircraft would take part in the exercise in Belarus. According to Western media reports in July 2017, the tank army′s task would be to establish a forward command post in western Belarus, and to hold exercises in training areas near the city of Brest. On 13 July 2017, the NATO-Russia Council convened in Brussels, in the course of which the two sides briefed each other on their upcoming drills: Zapad 2017 and NATO′s Exercise Trident Javelin 2017.

Observers from NATO have been invited to Zapad-2017 by both Belarus and Russia. The Belarusian foreign ministry said in mid-July 2017 that they had notified all the OSCE countries and intended to invite observers from a number of international organisations as well as from Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine, Estonia, Sweden, and Norway. Also, Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko invited the U.S. delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.On 12 July 2017, in Vienna, Major-General Pavel Muraveiko, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Belarus, gave a detailed briefing on Zapad-2017 to the participants of the OSCE conference.

In mid-August, Lithuania said that it would send its military observers to the Zapad 2017 drills, in Belarus and Leningrad Oblast. Latvia, who previously, on 14 August, said it was still awaiting the relevant invitation from Russia, said it would send 3 observers, including its military attaché in Moscow, who was invited as an observer by Moscow. On 22 August, the Belarusian defence ministry said that observers from the UN, OSCE, NATO, Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), and International Committee of the Red Cross as well as from Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine, Estonia, Sweden, and Norway had been invited to Zapad 2017.

Preparatory drills and logistical preparations

Officially billed by the Belarusian Defence Ministry as part of preparations for Zapad 2017, on 23 August 2017, Russia and Belarus began joint tactical aviation drills that involved redeployment of aircraft and helicopters of the Russian Aerospace Forces to Belarusian military airfields; among other things, landing on a motorway was to be practised.

On 15 August 2017, Russia′s military logistics units were announced to have started arriving in Belarus to make preparations for a joint special exercise scheduled for 21–25 August that would involve military units and logistics support organizations of the two countries′ armed forces as part of the preparation for Zapad 2017.

See also

References

  1. "Глава Минобороны Белоруссии: учение "Запад-2017" не направлено против третьих стран". ТАСС (in Russian). Retrieved 2017-07-17.
  2. ^ Details of Belarusian-Russian army exercise Zapad 2017 unveiled Belarusian Telegraph Agency, 20 March 2017.
  3. Russia’s biggest war game in Europe since the cold war alarms NATO The Economist, 10 August 2017.
  4. Why Russia's Military Alliance Is Not the Next NATO Stratfor, 10 January 2017.
  5. Представители оборонных ведомств ОДКБ обсудят в Минске применение КСОР RIA Novosti, 23 August 2017.
  6. Председатель Совета коллективной безопасности ОДКБ, Президент Республики Беларусь Александр Лукашенко на встрече с секретарями советов безопасности назвал шесть важнейших задач ОДКБ на современном этапе ODKB, 15 June 2017.
  7. "Дмитрий Медведев и Президент Белоруссии Александр Лукашенко наблюдали заключительный этап оперативно-стратегических учений «Запад-2009»". Official web site of president of Russia (in Russian). 2017-09-29.
  8. Доклад замысла совместного стратегического учения вооруженных сил Беларуси и России "Запад-2017" 20 March 2017 Template:Ru icon.
  9. СМИ узнали, чему будут посвящены учения России и Белоруссии "Запад-2017" RIA Novosti, 20 March 2017 Template:Ru icon.
  10. Личный состав, военная техника и представители Запада - Равков рассказал о подробностях учения "Запад-2017" Belarusian Telegraph Agency, 20 March 2017.
  11. Российско-белорусские учения "Запад-2017" пройдут 14-20 сентября Interfax, 20 March 2017.
  12. "Russia's Military Drills Near NATO Border Raise Fears of Aggression". The New York Times. 2017-07-31.
  13. Press point by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg following the meeting of the NATO-Russia Council nato.int , 13 July 2013.
  14. Russia tells NATO to stop 'demonising' planned war games Reuters, 13 July 2017.
  15. "Столтенберг поприветствовал приглашение Россией наблюдателей НАТО на "Запад-2017"". РИА Новости (in Russian). Retrieved 2017-06-28.
  16. «Если натовцы хотят — милости просим». Лукашенко предложил допустить наблюдателей НАТО на совместные учения с Россией
  17. ^ МИД: мы не обязаны приглашать наблюдателей на учения "Запад-2017", но сделаем это Template:Ru icon
  18. "Лукашенко пригласил американскую делегацию ОБСЕ на учения «Запад-2017»‍". Белновости (in Russian). 2017-07-10. {{cite news}}: zero width joiner character in |title= at position 71 (help)
  19. "Замначальника Генштаба ВС Беларуси во время форума ОБСЕ проведет брифинг на тему учений "Запад-2017"". Белорусское телеграфное агентство (in Russian). 2017-07-12. Retrieved 2017-07-15.
  20. Литва направит наблюдателей на учения «Запад-2017»
  21. Lithuania to send observers to Russia-Belarus joint drills "Zapad-2017" - media
  22. Премьер Латвии ждет от России приглашения наблюдать за учениями "Запад-2017" TASS, 14 August 2017.
  23. Латвия направит трех наблюдателей на белорусско-российские учения "Запад-2017" TASS, 17 August 2017.
  24. Latvia to Send Observers to Russia-Belarus Zapad-2017 Drills 17.08.2017.
  25. В АТМОСФЕРЕ ОТКРЫТОСТИ И ТРАНСПАРЕНТНОСТИ
  26. Russian Aerospace Forces' aircraft to redeploy to Belarus for exercise on Aug 23-25 - Belarusian Defense Ministry Interfax, 22 August 2017.
  27. В рамках подготовки учения Союзного государства "Запад- 2017" пройдет важное мероприятие с авиацией
  28. Военные штурмовики сядут сегодня на автодорогу в Беларуси
  29. Применение единой системы ПВО Союзного государства отработают на учениях в Белоруссии Interfax, 23 August 2017.
  30. В преддверии учений «Запад-2017» белорусская и российская авиация отработают посадку на аэродромный участок дороги
  31. Zapad-2017 joint war game: Part of Russian troops to arrive in Belarus on August, 15 Belsat TV, 14 August 2017.
  32. Белорусские и российские военные начали отрабатывать вопросы технического обеспечения Belsat TV, 21 August 2017.
  33. В Беларусь начали прибывать российские военные для подготовки к "Западу-2017" Tut.By, 15 August 2017.
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