Russia's "Zapad" exercises cancelled due to Ukraine conflict
Russia has cancelled its major military exercises "Zapad" this year due to the war in Ukraine, the Russian Defense Ministry said Monday.
"We do not have exercises this year, we have exercises in Ukraine," Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said in response to a question about the exercises, according to RIA Novosti.
The most recent "Zapad" exercises, which are held every four years, were conducted by Russia and its ally Belarus in September 2021, five months before Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine. It was reported at the time that 200,000 troops took part in those exercises.
Last week, the UK Ministry of Defense said in its daily intelligence report that it believes Russia will not hold the "Zapad" exercises this year because it does not have enough troops and equipment to spare for the manoeuvres while it is also fighting a war in Ukraine, which is now in its 19th month.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
