Daily Mail: Russia simulated invading Europe and bombing Germany during Putin's 'West 2017' military drills, analysts reveal
* War games featuring thousands of soldiers took place in Belarus in September
* Russia claimed that they were defensive in nature with foreign monitors present
* But analysts claim it was a dry-run for a 'shock campaign' against NATO states
* 'Zapad' drills featured mock invasion of land linking Belarus to Russian enclave of Kaliningrad, analysts said
Russia simulated going to war against NATO, bombing Germany and invading Baltic states during Vladimir Putin's 'West 2017' military exercises, analysts have revealed.
A massive programme of war games featuring tens of thousands of troops and code named 'Zapad' took place near the Belarus capital Minsk in September.
At the time there were fears Moscow was using the training as a cover to station soldiers and equipment in the country.
Analysts from two Western intelligence agencies have now claimed that the exercises, which included artillery, tanks, rocket launches and simulated air and navy raids, were a dry-run for a 'shock campaign' against Western European NATO members - including Germany and the Netherlands.
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Update: Bild: Russia practiced war against NATO, capture of Baltics during Zapad (Baltic Times)
WNU Editor: Russia's Zapad military exercises happen every 4 years, and this year it occurred on near the Baltic states .... What are Russia's Zapad war games? (DW).
5 comments:
How would Russia feel if Germany had the bigger military and practiced bombing them? Russian soldiers need to think here. .it's been 70 years since ww2 and no country on earth has more apologized for their wrong doing than Germany. Name one. In societ union 20m died because of Stalin. Did you guys owe up? What about Ukraine famine? Did you owe up? Practicing bombing of a country that wishes you no harm is. ...offensive (Pun intended). Anyways. I get all the fear mongering on both sides but ffs the west does not want a war with Russia. Who in the west? USA? We (west) would not just blindly back the USA if they were to just wake up one morning and decide to attack you. It would be immoral. If however Russians continue to do close flyovers (we get it you just watched TopGun..but please realize that movie is 30 years old and people barely watch it over here anymore) there's a risk for accident. .so maybe stop this even if putin loves you so much afterwards. Think!
Anonymous,
You may have a point, however, Germany is a member of NATO. NATO into former eastern bloc and Soviet countries in violation of the negotiated agreements that ended the first Cold War. With NATO being expanded to Russia's borders, endless meddling in Russian affairs, and endless support of governments hostile to Russia in states that border Russia, economic sanctions, and other provocations it may not be hard to understand why Russia may be a little paranoid.
I would suggest halting the actions of the NGOs, halt NATO expansion, drop all support for the chump Ukraine government, as well as support for the various Baltic states, recognize Crimea as Russian, and drop the sanctions on Russia. We just might get somewhere. Additionally we are likely to need Russian help in a number of areas, Iran and North Korea just to name two. Perhaps some type of agreement can be made here where Russia's position is respected and we can obtain assistance in the areas we need assistance.
By engaging in the current actions it may not be hard to understand why Russians may feel the west does in fact want a war. You are correct that no one is going to just blindly back the US. At some point western Europe will come to their senses. Russia has been a major power in the region for centuries and likely will be for centuries more. The USA is a temporary phenomenon and assuming it continues to exist much beyond the next few years its role in European affairs will be ending. In contrast, Russia is pretty much permanent. As such, eventually countries such as Germany are going to have to seek cordial or at least working relations with Russia.
I'm sorry bposter. I accept some of your demands but not all. Surely Nato expansion - if it really violates agreed laws - should stop. I'm all for that. But, Russia has to take a lot of blame here. Why did they invade Georgia? Why did they invade Ukraine? This happened years ago. ..Those are war offences. Sure, Russia can say someone treated Russian speaking communities not to their standard (Ukraine) but that was in a country they have no business being in. You can't just invade countries like that and try to explain why it's cool you killed thousands in the process, then pretend you didn't do it lol. That's like the USA invading a tiny unarmed country like Switzerland because they disagree with language and governing issues and then dress up their soldiers and pretend those American speaking guys are swiss separatists lol. Wtf
And why practice bombing Germany a country that has done nothing but try to work with Russia. Despite that Putin sent a dog into the room with Merkel. What insult knowing she is scared of dogs. Putin has to tone it down a notch or Germans will start to get pissed. And you don't want to piss those guys off,keep them pacifist. It's better for all involved.
Finally, Russia is constantly violating EU airspace. All the freaking time. This will just result in more arms deals and who do they buy from? USA. This strategy of putin just leads to isolation and trying to find an enemy so he can stay in power. It's just manipulative and you should see through it. Come to France, Germany Italy, all those countries. Nothing but good things to say about Russians. But they hate that you keep doing these incursions, war like killing of thousands wtf do you think is gonna happen if you keep doing that? Nato will have all right to expand and do you honestly think you stand a chance? Don't be naive. EU barely invests 1.5% of GDP and would already be quite a blow to Russia (don't forget EU has nukes too)..on top USA canada Australia Japan south Korea like all advanced militaries. It's hopeless for Russia to win obviously. So why not finally make peace in your mind set? There's nothing we want from Russia, we just want to be left alone - or better yet - work with you guys. No one wants Russia to turn into a failing state that has nothing to offer but nukes, doping and Russian mafia. It's pathetic and shameful to the Russian spirit. You should become a country of inventors, philosophers and mathematicians again. .and not be famous for drunken oligarchs causing trouble in London lol you know I'm right. Putin will be gone in under 8 years. You need to decide what kind of Russia you want to be
Ps Russia permanent? Haha you forget how Russia was born. In 1991 it was the Soviet union and it completely collapsed economically and culturally. Ask those countries don't want to be Russian, are no longer Russian. If anything the EU is growing. From 3 founding states in the 1960s to what 26 states now? Please check your books and don't buy into the Brexit hype
Anymous,
Thanks for the reply. Time permitting I will submit a more detailed response.
You accept some of my "demands" but not all. I'm not making "demands." I'm making suggestions on how "western" policy needs to change towards Russia. Also, by "you," you seem to suggest I'm Russian. I'm actually American.
It does seem oftentimes when people disagree with certain policies they often get falsely accused of being from another country especially on this website. Having to constantly clear up that misconception gets tiresome.
Actually admitting that some even if not all policies toward Russia would be a good start toward negotiations. It'd be a vast improvement over current policy that seems h!ll bent on going out of its way to provoke Russia and for no good reason.
"And you don't want to p!ss those Guys off, keep them pacifist. It's better for all involved." If I were a German, I'd find that statenent beyond insulting. I want them strong. This would make them a better ally and it would finally allow America to redeploy it's forces currently in Gernany. Also, once Germany no longer has America as a pawn I think we might even see saner policies from them.
If you are concerned about the Nazis coming back, Nazi Germany is gone and is NEVER coming back. Very respectfully it's time to move forward. To suggest Germany should be "pacifist" is condescending and insulting to a proud people who have made amends for past transgressions.
For America, my country, I would suggest a foreign policy modeled similar to that of Australia or Canada.
Bposter I didn't mean that Germans are Nazis. I know they have changed. But in this change they (and Japan) committed to pacifism. And I think that's great and we need more of that. What we don't need is Russians suddenly targeting Germany and the EU in general in their military drills. I just don't think it is appropriate to practice bombing a pacifist country that disarmed fire 70 years and has an army the size of a village lol. So my point is:don't confuse EU's demands for reduced Russian aggression with weakness. Especially Germany's. I didn't mean to insult them, I love their cars and many other things. .what I'm saying is honour their pacifism or they again become a militarised nation and we need less of weapons and armies in this world. Not more. Same applies to China. .don't provoke Japan you fools. .they too were pacifist and now they just deployed the first set of missiles facing China. Don't people ever learn that aggression will cause counter aggression?
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