Today thousands of Russian and Belarussian troops are starting a massive military exercise. Labelled 'Zapad' - meaning 'The West' - the week long operation will showcase a newly confident Russian military at a time of heightened tensions with the West. Retired Brigadier General Peter Zwack attended similar exercises in 2013 as an observer.

(Photo: Russia's navy ships and helicopters taking part in a military exercise in the Black Sea in 2016. Credit: Vasily Maximov/AFP/Getty Images)