Zapad 2021 strategic exercise of Belarusian and Russian Armed Forces

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko took part in the Zapad 2021 strategic exercise of the Belarusian and Russian Armed Forces on 12 September.

“The first stage of the Zapad 2021 joint exercise is over. This is one of the most important training activities of the Armed Forces, held against the backdrop of the ongoing hybrid aggression from the West against Belarus and Russia. We see new risks and challenges on the west of the Union State, the aggravation of the situation on the borders of the CSTO member states,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko.

According to the President, the created training environment allows improving the skills of joint military operations to repel aggression. Representatives of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan, as well as the territorial forces of Belarus, along with the Belarusian and Russian soldiers took an active part in the exercise at the Obuz-Lesnovsky training area near Baranavichi. According to the head of state, all units successfully accomplished their tasks.

“Your actions during the exercise clearly confirmed the high readiness of the armies of our states and the Belarusian people to act together to ensure their sovereignty and independence. We have once again seen the effectiveness of the established system of territorial defense,” said the Belarusian leader.

Aleksandr Lukashenko stated that the exercise featured military personnel and the Belarusian territorial troops. Yesterday the citizens were peacefully working at factories and plants, gathering crops and plowing the land, and today they have fought off a conventional attack of the enemy, the President said. According to him, together with the personnel of the regional grouping of troops and CSTO allies, the territorial troops fulfilled the training and combat tasks with honor.

“Let no one even doubt that we - Belarusians, Russians, Kazakhs, citizens of other CSTO member states - are ready to do everything to preserve regional security, peace in our Fatherland,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko.

With the end of this stage of the exercise, a training camp for soldiers of the territorial forces is coming to an end. “You, workers and real men, at the right time showed everyone your readiness to defend the native land and the people. You should know: I have created the territorial troops so that you could protect yourself, your family, children and native land where you live and work today. In just a few days you will return to your families and continue to defend national interests at the factories and in the fields,” the President said. 

The remaining group of troops still has complex and multifaceted tasks to perform according to the exercise plan. 

The President thanked the troops for their high level of training and professionalism and wished them success in their professional activities.