Operational strategic exercise (OSE) Zapad-2009 integrating about 12 500 Russian and Belarusian servicemen and up to 200 samples of combat equipment has been started on Tuesday, as reported by Press Service & Information Dept of Russian Ministry of Defense.
The exercise which is the final operational training event of the Union State's armed forces in 2009 will be executed in Sept, 8-29 under command of Chiefs of the General Staffs of both countries.
"Exercise scenario jointly developed by General Staffs of Russia and Belarus and is entirely defensive. The objective is direct preparation of Russian and Belarusian armed forces to support strategic stability in East Europe", as press-release received by RIA Novosti says.
Number of tasks will be fulfilled during the exercise: relocation of Russian military authorities and armed forces to Belarus; application of regional grouping (RG) in localization and liquidation of armed conflicts, natural and technological disasters, strategic deterrence, enhancing security of the Union State.
Military authorities, units and groupings of Moscow military command (MMC), Baltic Fleet, Air Force and Air Defense command, Airborne Forces, military logistics and also task groups of federal executive authorities will participate in the event from the Russian side.
Belarus is presented at the exercise with military authorities, units and groupings of operational commands, task groups of governmental authorities, forces of MIA, Ministry of emergencies, KGB, State Border Committee.
About 5-6 thousands of Russian servicemen are going to take part in the exercise; Belarus sends around 7-8 thousands. Up to 40 aircrafts are also involved in the event.
The Russia-Belarus military cooperation is conducted in strict accordance with the Union State's defense doctrine aimed at supporting territorial integrity and sovereignty of participant states, maintenance of strategic stability and creating conditions for stable and just peace, as Ministry of Defense reports.
According to Collective Security Treaty Organization, Belarus and Russia jointly enhance security in Eastern Europe. In the framework of the Union, the regional grouping was created for this purpose.