What is Zapad 17

[link to en.wikipedia.org (secure)]

"Zapad 2017 (Russian: «Запад-2017», Belarusian: Захад-2017) is a planned joint strategic military exercise of the armed forces of the Russian Federation and Belarus (the Union State) scheduled for 14—20 September 2017, to be held in Belarus as well as in Russia's Kaliningrad Oblast and other north-western areas. According to the information made public by the Defence Ministry of Belarus prior to the exercise,[1][2] fewer than 13,000 personnel of the Union State are to take part in the military maneuvers, a number that does not trigger mandatory formal notification and invitation of observers under the OSCE's Vienna Document.[3] Western analysts, however, believed in July 2017 that the total number of Russian troops, security personnel and civilian officials to be involved in the broader war-games will range from 60,000 to 100,000,[4] which would make them Russia's largest since the Cold War.[5] "

[link to www.defenseone.com]

"Large-scale military exercises are never “just” military exercises. They are always also ways to show off, communicate, and develop the fighting power of national or alliance-wide armed forces. In the current security situation in the Baltic region, Zapad-17 sends a clear message: Russia has massive conventional military power and is ready to use it."

[link to websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901]

Might hear some interesting EAMS, already some long character messages went out (tune to 11175 or 8992 usb)