Belarusian-Russian strategic army exercise Zapad 2013 completed

Belarusian-Russian strategic army exercise Zapad 2013 has completed. Presidents of Belarus and Russia Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin took part in the final phase of the exercise. The Belarusian-Russian strategic army exercise Zapad 2013 [West 2013] was a defensive exercise meant to confirm Belarus’ policy aimed at building up the regional security and adherence to allied commitments with Russia. The exercise involved not only Belarusian and Russian military but also military units of Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan within the framework of the exercise Interaction 2013 of the Collective Rapid Response Forces of the Collective Security Treaty Organization. Foreign observers and military attaches were also present at the firing range and highly praised the exercise.