Range, Kaliningrad, September 28, SPA -- President Dmitry Medvedev has arrived at Khmelyovka test- range of the Russian Baltic Fleet in the Kaliningrad region to monitor operational strategic exercises "Zapad (West) -2009", Itar-Tass reported. The president will speak to servicemen who distinguished themselves during the exercises and familiarize himself with armaments and military hardware employed in the exercises. Then, the Russian president will hold a conference to discuss the results of the Zapad-2009 exercises and tasks for future development of the Russian Armed Forces. After visiting the Baltic test- range President Medvedev will visit the administration of the Kaliningrad region and meet Kaliningrad regional Governor Georgy Boos. The operational strategic exercises "Zapad –2009” have been held on September 8-29 under general command of Chief of Staff of the Russian armed forces and the defense minister of Belarus. The troops will practice regrouping of Russian military command structure and troops on the territory of Belarus, usage of a regional group of troops in localization and elimination of military conflicts, after-effects of natural and technical catastrophes. Around 12, 500 servicemen, 40 planes and around 200 pieces of combat hardware are taking part in the exercises.
