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Russia and Belarus commenced their 'Zapad-2025' military exercise on Thursday. The drills, bringing together thousands of forces from air, land and sea divisions from both nations, are advertized as promoting co-operation between units — with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating they are not directed at third counties — but they will nonetheless be closely watched by NATO.

Russia and Belarus commenced their 'Zapad-2025' military exercise on Thursday. The drills, bringing together thousands of forces from air, land and sea divisions from both nations, are advertized as promoting co-operation between units — with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating they are not directed at third counties — but they will nonetheless be closely watched by NATO.

Coming after Poland said <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2025/poland-shoots-down-russian-drones-in-first-direct-engagement">19 Russian drones crossed Ukraine's border into their territory</a> earlier in the week, tensions remain high. Poland closed its border with Belarus on Thursday and said it's deploying 40,000 troops in the east. Latvia and Lithuania have also stepped up defensive measures.

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Coming after Poland said 19 Russian drones crossed Ukraine's border into their territory earlier in the week, tensions remain high. Poland closed its border with Belarus on Thursday and said it's deploying 40,000 troops in the east. Latvia and Lithuania have also stepped up defensive measures.

However, the joint Russian-Belarusian exercise, which will run until Tuesday, was scheduled long in advance of the recent flare up. Exercises under the 'Zapad' name — meaning West in Russian — were first held in 1999 in the post-Soviet era and were then held every four years since 2009.

Globalsecurity

However, the joint Russian-Belarusian exercise, which will run until Tuesday, was scheduled long in advance of the recent flare up. Exercises under the 'Zapad' name — meaning West in Russian — were first held in 1999 in the post-Soviet era and were then held every four years since 2009.

While Western sources have alleged that this year's exercise will simulate an attack on the Suwałki Gap, a strip of Polish and Lithuanian land that separates Belarus and the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad, in July, Pavel Muraveiko, chief of staff of Belarusia's armed forces, said drills were moved away from the border to avoid tensions. Belarus also said it sent invitations to nine NATO countries to monitor the exercises.

While Western sources have alleged that this year's exercise will simulate an attack on the Suwałki Gap, a strip of Polish and Lithuanian land that separates Belarus and the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad, in July, Pavel Muraveiko, chief of staff of Belarusia's armed forces, said drills were moved away from the border to avoid tensions. Belarus also said it sent invitations to nine NATO countries to monitor the exercises.

Other potential areas for NATO concern are that Russian and Belarusian troops will simulate firing the Oreshnik nuclear-capable missile system, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2024/nato-ukraine-to-hold-emergency-meeting">used in Ukraine without a nuclear warhead for the first time last November</a>. And though the number of troops taking part is thought to be much lower than previous years, some alleged that Russia is masking the true size by holding three other military exercises in the background.

Other potential areas for NATO concern are that Russian and Belarusian troops will simulate firing the Oreshnik nuclear-capable missile system, used in Ukraine without a nuclear warhead for the first time last November. And though the number of troops taking part is thought to be much lower than previous years, some alleged that Russia is masking the true size by holding three other military exercises in the background.

However, the Russian-led drills are not the only war games in town. This month alone, Germany held the Quadriga 2025 military exercise with 13 NATO nations on its eastern flank, Poland is holding Iron Defender-25, with upwards of 30,000 troops and the participation of NATO allies, while Exercise Tharssis hosts forces from 10 NATO nations in Latvia. Lithuania is also holding its Thunder Strike exercise this month.

Military Affairs

However, the Russian-led drills are not the only war games in town. This month alone, Germany held the Quadriga 2025 military exercise with 13 NATO nations on its eastern flank, Poland is holding Iron Defender-25, with upwards of 30,000 troops and the participation of NATO allies, while Exercise Tharssis hosts forces from 10 NATO nations in Latvia. Lithuania is also holding its Thunder Strike exercise this month.

NATO is right to be nervous about Russian-led exercises on its borders. These troop build ups could be used as cover for a real military operations and NATO needs to remain vigilant. Take for example the last time Russia held such military exercises in 2021. They invaded Ukraine shortly thereafter.

NATO is right to be nervous about Russian-led exercises on its borders. These troop build ups could be used as cover for a real military operations and NATO needs to remain vigilant. Take for example the last time Russia held such military exercises in 2021. They invaded Ukraine shortly thereafter.

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The Zapad-2025 drills are routine exercises which Western nations have long known about. They are defensive exercises intended to enhance Russia's cooperation with Belarus and are not directed at any other nations. While all the attention is placed on Russian-led drills, little is talked of with respect to NATO's corresponding exercises.

The Zapad-2025 drills are routine exercises which Western nations have long known about. They are defensive exercises intended to enhance Russia's cooperation with Belarus and are not directed at any other nations. While all the attention is placed on Russian-led drills, little is talked of with respect to NATO's corresponding exercises.

There's a 3% chance that any country's military expenditure will exceed that of the U.S. before 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There's a 3% chance that any country's military expenditure will exceed that of the U.S. before 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Metaculus2

Will any country's military expenditure exceed that of the United States before 2030?

Russia, Belarus Launch 'Zapad' Military Exercise

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