First trains with Russian troops for West-2009 military exercise to arrive in Belarus on Sep 9

The first trains with the Russian troops that will take part in the West-2009 military exercise are to arrive in Belarus on September 9. The official news agency BELTA reports that Belarus invited military observers from the neighboring countries (Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Poland and Ukraine) as well as diplomatic military envoys in Belarus to monitor the drills, in accordance with the 1999 Viena Document.

The West-2009 exercise will take place from September 18 through September 29, 2009 in Belarus. Nearly 12500 troops, over 200 main battle tanks, almost 470 ARCs as well as 60 war planes and 40 helicopters will take part in the drill.