Nato on alert as Russia and Belarus launch massive war games

Russia and Belarus have begun a massive joint military exercise involving warships and armoured units, putting Nato forces on alert on the alliance’s eastern border.

According to the Russian defence ministry, over 12,000 troops are participating in the war games, which are known as Zapad 2017.

The ministry said that the exercises were being carried out in order to test the nation’s defense capabilities.

Nato officials are said to be worried by the war games, which represent one of Russia’s largest military operations in the area since its annexation of Ukraine in 2014.

Security has been increased on the Ukrainian border, as the country’s president warns it could be a prelude to an attack on the region.

Russian-backed forces have control of large parts of eastern Ukraine and have continually clashed with military units.

Nato has previously accused Russia of supplying the rebels with heavy artillery and extra troops, something which the Kremlin has denied.