‘We are not threatening anyone’: Belarus seek to calm fears ahead of war games with Russia

The war games are scheduled to kick off on Thursday evening.

Military officials in Belarus have sought to calm Western fears about major war games with Russia involving thousands of troops, tanks and aircraft, just hours before they are due to get under way.

The Zapad (West) 2017 manoeuvres that will be focused in Belarus have caused concern at Nato and in neighbouring countries.