From RIA Novosti:  This week the Russian Defense Ministry will start  preparing for large-scale joint strategic military exercises with Belarus, scheduled for fall of 2013, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Monday.

“Strategic command and staff drills, to be held by [Russian] military districts this week, mark the first step in preparation for the Zapad-2013 exercises with Belarus,” Shoigu said at a Defense Ministry meeting. . . .

The exercises will be held in September and will focus on practicing defense of the Russia-Belarus Union State in response to the deployment of a US missile shield in Europe.  (photo: Igor Zarembo/RIA Novosti)

Image: ria%203%2013%2013%20Zapad%202009.jpg