Today in the Leningrad region, training battles unfolded, which, in their scope, were similar from a major military operation. Paratroopers, artillerymen, motorized gunners, aviators, operated on a front, which stretched for a total of 600 km.
This is one of the main stages of the Russian-Belarusian exercises Zapad-2017. Vladimir Putin watched the maneuvers at the key area. Military attaches from fifty-some countries also had a chance to appreciate the power of the Union State. Dmitry Petrov reporting.
The Luzhsky training ground, Leningrad region. Here, the main stage of joint strategic exercises Zapad-2017 of the Union State Armed Forces is taking place. The divisions are practicing skills of joint actions to repel an attack by an enemy, inflicting fire damage using all types of weapons, and moving to an offensive.
On the edge of a breach, a whole grouping of 2 motorized rifle brigades and a division is created. From a defensive location they are supported by units of missile forces, artillery, air defense, operational-tactical and Army aviation. At the forefront are paratroopers and special forces. The flights of the transport helicopters simulate the landing of tactical paratroopers with support attack combat units Mi-35, Ka-52 and Mi-28.
The maneuvers are observed by Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu and Commander-in-Chief Vladimir Putin. They arrived to Luga by helicopter. Commander-in-Chief, deputy Defense Minister Army general Bulgakov.
The President, accompanied by military commanders, goes up to the observation post, from where the entire ground can be seen, which is about 2 km long front and almost 10 km wide. Even despite the rainy, almost stormy weather, all maneuvers and movement of military vehicles are perfectly visible from this place. Locked and loaded.
The turning point comes exactly at the moment when the reactive artillery gets involved. Grads and Smerches' rocket volley is capable of destroying the enemy's manpower in several minutes, freeing the bridgehead for a counter-offensive. De-mining machine is working through the mine fields. And only after this the infantry enters the battle.
The motor rifle company is moving to the offensive supported by flamethrower and anti-tank units. From the air, anti-aircraft defense units of the Western Military District provide cover. They repelled the attack and covered the most important objects from the air strike, destroying 30 air targets.
Complexes S-300 Favorit, S-400 Triumph, anti-aircraft missile system Pantsir-S once again confirmed their high efficiency. And only low clouds prevented well-coordinated work of pilots from being seen. It's worth noting that during the worst weather conditions, all aviation units have successfully completed their tasks. Operational-tactical aviation, including special assignment groups to prevent enemy maneuvers, carried out bomb strikes against the maneuver enemy.
The exercises Zapad-2017 are under the leadership of the Chiefs of Staff of both countries. It's their 5th day. 9 training grounds are involved. According to the exercise plan, groups of extremists entered the territory of Belarus and the Kaliningrad region to destabilize the situation and organize terrorist attacks. But the aggressor immediately faced organized resistance.
To isolate the formed gangs, units and subdivisions of the regional grouping of troops are deployed in the area of the enemy's breakthrough.
The Belarusians are testing the latest multi rocket system Polonaise, with a range of up to 200 km. The Russian military are testing the tank support vehicle, Terminator, and the tank T-90S1. Near Mogilev, Belarusian and Russian tank-men are practicing a joint maneuver, which the military call the "Syrian Roll."
The Baltic fleet, consisting of 20 ships, is providing a naval blockade of the operational area. But, today the Luzhsky training range is witnessing the main battle of these exercises. The new fire control systems have been checked in action.
Overall, I am satisfied with the results. The assessment by the Commander-in-Chief, the Minister of Defense, is high.
The maneuvers are observed by reporters from more than 60 media outlets from various countries. The presence of foreign military attaches is also a mandatory condition. 95 people from 50 countries. They are interested.
We got to see Iskander PM-21 in action, it was an interesting sight. It was an impressive display of combat capabilities. As part of these exercises today from the Kapustin Yar training ground in the Astrakhan region, a high-capacity rocket Iskander-M was launched. Strategic exercises Zapad-2017 will last until September 20. Dmitry Petrov, Vladimir Ozerov, Natalia Undovskaya, Renat Goreev, and Vadim Klevanov. Luzhsky training ground, Leningrad Region — Vesti.
