Russia holds the Zapad military exercises every four years. (file photo)
VOA: Germany Disputes Size of Russian War Games, Predicts 100,000 Troops
TALLINN — Germany said on Thursday that Russia was planning to send more than 100,000 troops to war games on NATO's eastern flank this month, disputing Moscow's version that only 13,000 Russian and Belarussian servicemen would participate.
The Sept. 14-20 exercises known as Zapad, or "West," in Belarus, the Baltic Sea, western Russia and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, are stirring unease in NATO despite Moscow's assurances troops would rehearse a purely defensive scenario.
"It is undisputed that we are seeing a demonstration of capabilities and power of the Russians," German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen told reporters at an EU defense ministers' meeting in Tallinn.
"Anyone who doubts that only has to look at the high numbers of participating forces in the Zapad exercise: more than one hundred thousand," she said in a joint news conference with her French counterpart, Florence Parly.
Read more ....
More News On Russia Continuing Preparations For Its Massive Zapad Military Exercises
Nato accuses Russia of blocking observation of massive war game -- The Guardian
Russian General Staff Chief Informs NATO About Massive Zapad Drills With Belarus -- Sputnik
Russia tells NATO not to worry over war games -- AFP
NATO Chief Sees No 'Imminent Threat' In Russia War Games -- RFE
Zapad drills: Russia showing off 'power' says Germany's Ursula von der Leyen -- DW
Russia brushes off Nato concern over war games -- Gulf Times
No comments:
Post a Comment