Defense Minister Shoigu Calls Out Western MSM Lies About Russian "West-2017" Army Drill
The West media's concerns about Zapad-2017 aggressive exercise were empty. The maneuvers were of a defensive nature, and the troops already returned to their permanent dislocation. That's what Defense Minister, Sergey Shoygu, said during a selection meeting at the Department. Right now we have Aleksey Konobko from the Department.
- Hello, Aleksey. What else was discussed at the meeting?
- Hello. The meeting covered several issues. But, you're right, we started with the international issues first. The Zapad-2017 exercise, which has been over for 2 weeks, but the foreign media is still concerned about that fact.
Just yesterday, in a Czech newspaper, there was an article about the danger of these trainings for the North-Atlantic Alliance. It was supposedly a preparation to attack the Old World. I remind you that Ukraine said that the maneuvers had not 12,700 participants, but over 100,000. In Lithuania, they mentioned as many as 140,000. Supposedly, all those people are still in Belarus and are up to no good.
As Sergey Shoygu said, this is nothing more than unprecedented informational pressure. These training were purely of a defensive nature. They were held in the conditions of a hypothetical situation, including practicing to fight terrorism. Also, this is not just a statement by our military department, representatives from 50 countries could observe these trainings. This includes the members of the North-Atlantic Alliance.
Sergey Shoygu, Russian Defense Minister: "It's important to emphasize that Zapad-2017 trainings were held in compliance with the Vienna Agreement of 2011. The maneuvers were watched by 95 representatives from 50 countries. The training involved 12,700 servicemen. Up to 680 military equipment units were used. There were also about 70 jets and helicopters, and 10 ships. I consider the goals of the training to be reached. Keep in mind that all the troops and equipment have been returned to their permanent locations".
The training will be summed up soon, but we already know that 53 military divisions did a great job, they're dismissed from the current inspection of combat preparedness. A new draft started in October, 134,000 people are expected to join the troops. 120,000 of them will end up specifically in the military divisions. That's 18,000 less than last year. It's clear, as the Minister said, that we have more contract soldiers.
By the way, about the newcomers: on October 2nd, for the first time in Russian Army's history, girls started taking military pilot courses. As Minister Shoygu mentioned, women's interest in military service is increasing, at 25 people per spot.
They continue to maintain the science troops, as well. However, now it's united. At the President' demand, the Army will create an innovative military technopolis: Era.
This time, they spoke about military equipment, about increasing the reliability of long-range bombers, and combat preparedness of the Navy. Here, there's more news. From Sergey Shoygu: the United Shipbuilding Corporation has completed testing the new Admiral Makarov frigate. Therefore, the sailors expect an addition. Colleagues?
- Aleksey, thank you. Aleksey Konobko from the Ministry of Defence.