Russian Federation with large-scale doctrines “the West-2017” wants to demonstrate its ability to conduct large-scale continental war in Europe. This was stated by Secretary of national security Council and defence of Ukraine (NSDC) Oleksandr Turchynov.
“The Russian Federation these exercises demonstrates the ability to conduct large-scale continental war in Europe, and that, in their opinion, may be a warning to the West to not interfere in new adventures, including the military, which the Kremlin could provoke on the territory of Ukraine and other independent States in the region,” said Secretary of the NSDC.
Turchinov stressed that the Ukrainian Armed forces in connection with these exercises are ready to give an answer to any possible provocation.
“West-2017” joint doctrine of the Armed forces of Russia and Belarus, scheduled for the period from 14 to 20 September this year. According to official data of the Russian Federation, the exercise will be attended by up to 13 thousand troops, according to Western analysts, up to 100 thousand.
The Ukrainian military leadership has repeatedly stressed that the upcoming exercises can serve as a cover for more aggressive actions from the Russian side.
Exercises “West-2013” allowed Russia to prepare for the annexation of Crimea, and “West-2009” – resulted in the testing of a nuclear strike on Warsaw.
The Kremlin insists that the scripts that are reproduced in these exercises are purely defensive. NATO, in turn, in anticipation of the exercise actively increasing its military presence in the Baltic region.
