Russia war games

RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS - In Brief 26 Sep 2020 by Alex Teddy

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On September 21 military exercises began in southern Russia. The exercises are called Caucasus 2020. China is participating along with Belarus, Iran, Myanmar and Kazakhstan. India had been due to take part but withdrew citing coronavirus. It is suspected that the ulterior reason was India's border clashes with China. The exercises are on land and sea. 12 000 troops are taking part. Russia announced that tanks, armored personnel carriers, artillery and rocket launchers are being used. The new TOS-2 heavy flamethrower is being used. Drones will be deployed and the new S-400 system. Nuclear capable weapons will also be used in the drill. The Kinjal hypersonic missile and the Su-57 aircraft might be used.Beefing up the military was one of Putin's top goals. Russia exercises regularly in the Caucasus, Baltic and Arctic. In 2013 exercises were held involving 300 000 troops some of whom were Chinese. Russia tends to hold major exercises every September. This series is interpreted by many as a display of support for Lukashenka. The Slavic Brotherhood exercises took place in mid September in Belarus. Russia sent only 900 troops. Serbia pulled out at the last minute. The EU had strongly requested this from Serbia. Those exercises were near the Polish border. In October 2020 there will be more exercises in Belarus involving the Collective Security Organization (CSTO): Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. Ukraine says the war games are menacing. Moscow insists the games are a defensive posture.