Putin oversees vast war games ahead of parliamentary election

Russian President Vladimir Putin, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, Chief of the General Staff of Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov and officials visit the Mulino training ground to observe the military exercises "Zapad-2021" staged by the armed forces of Russia and Belarus in Nizhny Novgorod Region, Russia, September 13, 2021. Sputnik/Mikhail Klimentyev/Kremlin via REUTERS

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin oversaw vast joint military exercises with Belarus on Monday ahead of his country's parliamentary elections later this week, as NATO member Poland voiced concern over the drills.

The sprawling "Zapad-2021" live fire exercises will run until Thursday at numerous sites in Russia and ex-Soviet Belarus, some of which are close to NATO's borders. They have caused alarm in neighbouring countries such as Ukraine.