Russia, Belarus launch 2nd stage of strategic exercisesSeptember 23, 2013 - 10:26 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The second stage of international strategic exercises, Zapad 2013 (West 2013), began on Monday, September 23 at five locations in Russia and Belarus, the Russian Defense Ministry said, according to RIA Novosti. During the second stage, Russian and Belarusian troops would train combat interaction to ensure the two states’ military security. The troops will train at five training grounds – two in Russia’s Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad and three in Belarus. The Russian Defense Ministry said that Russian and Belarusian servicemen on Monday conducted a successful joint training operation to detect, block and eliminate an armed militant group. The six-day drills, held once in two years since 2009, will involve about 12,000 Russian servicemen. Ships from Russia’s Baltic, Black Sea and Northern fleets will take part in the final stage of the exercises. Observers from over 60 states will attend the two-stage drills. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Ucom Celebrates Telecommunication Day May 17 commemorates the founding of the International Telecommunication Union on May 17, 1865. Armenian, Azerbaijani heads of parliament meet in Switzerland President of the Armenian parliament Alen Simonyan met with the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova. Border residents overnight on highway to protest Armenia’s Residents of Kirants continue to express outrage over the government’s decision to cede land to Azerbaijan. Get Started: An educational platform for young startuppers The Get Started program which operates in two phases is an important platform for young startuppers. |