Defense Ministry refutes information about additional Russian tanks heading to Belarus


According to the Belarus Defense Ministry, all the forces planned for the exercise are already in Belarus — additional forces will not arrive.

Press secretary of the chief ideological department of the Ministry of Defense, Uladzimir Makarau told TUT.BY that the Russian authorities were not transferring any units of the 1st tank Army of the Western Military District to the territory of Belarus to participate in the ‘West 2017’ exercise.

“All units of the Russian regional group of troops participating in the exercise “West-2017″ are already on the territory of Belarus and have started to perform tasks in the frame of the exercise. The arrival of other units of the Russian side is not planned,” he said.

Belarus Defense Ministry is holding consultations with the Russian authorities regarding this statement.

TWITTER