Russia began its newest round of war games, “Zapad-2017” (the Russian word for “West”), on Thursday. According to Russian officials the exercise will involve 13,000 troops, but some NATO representatives assert that Russia will be using over 100,000 troops. Either way, Zapad-2017 will be Russia’s largest military practice since similar exercises were held in 2013. The Zapad-2017 drills are expected to continue until September 20th, and will take place in western Russia, Belarus, the Baltic Sea, and Kaliningrad, a Russian exclave. Western officials, such as Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, the head of the US Army in Europe, have stated that … Continue reading Zapad 2017 kicks off as Russia’s “West” war games challenge NATO