Shy of Zapad-2017 war game: Russian flag spotted in Belarus army officer’s car in Hrodna
A Hrodna-based journalist took a picture of a Russian flag in the car which belongs to a Lieutenant Colonel of the Armed Forces of Belarus.
The military officer told the Hrodna.life correspondent that he removed the Belarusian flag and placed the tricolor to pick up and welcome Russian guests who were arriving at the Zapad-2017 war game.
His car was not far the army headquarters in Lenin Street in Hrodna. In addition, the officer had a cap with the word ‘RUSSIA’.
The Belarusian-Russian strategic army exercise Zapad 2017 scheduled for September, 14-20 is supposed to demonstrate ‘persistence in efforts to ensure security of the two brotherly nations’. Such exercises are held in Belarus and Russia interchangeably every two years. In September, there will be about 10,000 troops involved in the exercise in the Belarusian territory (7,200 – the Belarusian Armed Forces and about 3,000 – the Russian Army).
Belarusian democratic circles fear that Russian troops will not come back home after the war game. In response, First Deputy Defense Minister and Chief of the General Staff Aleh Belakoneu promised that the Russian army forces would leave Belarus’ territory by 30 September.
At the same time, a number of European politicians believe that the ‘West-2017’ demonstrates the preparation of Belarus and Russia to the war with the West or Ukraine. In turn, president Alyaksandr Lukashenka reiterates that it is not aimed at attacking anyone.
“We invited almost everyone, let them come and see,” president Lukashenka stated. In total, about 80 persons are expected to arrive (representatives of NATO, UN, CSTO, CIS, Red Cross, military departments of seven European countries, etc). About 150 journalists will cover the event. The figure is quite impressive, but only two NATO observers are allowed to monitor the war game – and only on the so-called visitor days.
