Russia denied the statements of Germany about the number of military exercises “West-2017”
MOSCOW, 9 sen — news. The defense Ministry denied the statements of the heads of the defense Ministry of Germany Ursula von der Leyen about 100 thousand Russian military, allegedly involved in military exercises “Zapad-2017”, told reporters the official representative of the Ministry of defense of Russia Igor Konashenkov.
The Minister of defence of Germany on 7 September at a meeting with European colleagues in Tallinn said that the exercises “West-2017” will be attended by more than 100 thousand soldiers, which is a demonstration of the combat power of Russia.
“We are surprised by the statements of the defence Minister of Germany Mrs. Ursula von der Leyen publicly operating taken from the ceiling figures about the alleged 100 thousand Russian troops involved in the exercise “Zapad-2017″, and lurking in this regard, threats to Europe,” he said.
Strategic exercises “West-2017” will be held 14-20 September on the territory of Belarus, as well as on three sites of the Russian Federation. According to the defense Ministry, they will participate to 12.7 thousand soldiers. A number of NATO countries and the Ukrainian authorities have previously expressed concern in view of the upcoming exercises.