Relocation of troops to Poland in response to Russian and Belarusian “Zapad” exercises

Significant troop movements have taken place in Poland. The army transferred vehicles and soldiers to its eastern border in response to extensive military exercises conducted this week by Russia with its partner Belarus.

These maneuvers are taking place against a backdrop of tensions between Moscow and the NATO countries, including Poland, which still fears a Russian invasion on its territory, as was the case in 2014 in Crimea.

_ “The most important thing is that Poland and the Poles are safe. This is why our troops have been moved,” emphasizes Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak.

Russia is accustomed to demonstrations of force at its border. Every four years, it mobilizes thousands of men during maneuvers called “Zapad” (means west in Russian) in order to simulate the response to an aggression coming from outside.

In the context of current tensions, Russian maneuvers are particularly scrutinized by Western military intelligence.