Vietnam joins Zapad 2021 military drill in Russia as observer

Representatives from the Vietnam People’s Army, along with those from China and Myanmar, took part as observers in the most important phase of the Zapad 2021 military drill in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, on September 13.

At the military drill (Photo: VNA)
At the military drill (Photo: VNA)

Meanwhile, military units of the Western Military District of Russia, Armenia, Belarus, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia participate in the phase. Officers from Uzbekistan, Pakistan and Sri Lanka joined the phase's commanding group.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu were present at the site.

The drill, comprising three phases, is being held in nine training grounds in Russia and five in Belarus, with the participation of about 200,000 soldiers, 80 aircrafts and helicopters, more than 290 tanks, 240 canons, missile defence systems and mortars, and 15 military vessels, among others.