Russia launches Zapad War Games In Belarus

   Russia and Belarus have launched a large-scale joint military exercise, called Zapad-2017, which has made nearby Nato countries nervous.

   It is one of Russia's biggest military exercises since its 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimea peninsula.

   Russia's defence ministry says about 12,700 troops are participating, but Nato expects the numbers to be higher.
   The war games are under way in and around Belarus, involving armoured units, warships and aircraft.
   Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has warned that Zapad-2017 could be a prelude for an invasion of Ukraine. Kiev has stepped up security on Ukraine's borders.