Russia and Belarus commenced their 'Zapad-2025' military exercise on Thursday, bringing together thousands of forces from air, land and sea divisions from both nations. The drills are advertised as promoting co-operation between units, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating they are not directed at third countries.

Reuters

TASS

Russia and Belarus commenced their 'Zapad-2025' military exercise on Thursday, bringing together thousands of forces from air, land and sea divisions from both nations. The drills are advertised as promoting co-operation between units, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating they are not directed at third countries.

Tensions are high between the nations 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. Poland closed its border with Belarus on Thursday and said it will deploy 40,000 troops in the east. Despite State Secretary of the Security Council of Belarus Alexander Volfovich saying drills were "defensive," Latvia and Lithuania have restricted their airspace.

Daily Mail

The Moscow Times

Independent

Tensions are high between the nations after Poland said 19 Russian drones crossed Ukraine's border into their territory earlier in the week. Poland closed its border with Belarus on Thursday and said it will deploy 40,000 troops in the east. Despite State Secretary of the Security Council of Belarus Alexander Volfovich saying drills were "defensive," Latvia and Lithuania have restricted their airspace.

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

Globalsecurity

European Leadership Network

The joint Russian-Belarusian exercise, which runs until Tuesday, was scheduled long in advance of the recent flare up. Exercises under the 'Zapad' name — Russian for 'West' — were first held in 1999 in the post-Soviet era and have been 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, 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 NATO countries to monitor the exercises.

Al Jazeera

Plenglish

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, 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 NATO countries to monitor the exercises.

NATO may also face concern 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>. Though the number of troops taking part in drills 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.

Politico

France 24

RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty

DGAP

NATO may also face concern 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. Though the number of troops taking part in drills 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.

This month has also seen Germany hold the Quadriga 2025 military exercise with 13 NATO nations on its eastern flank, while Poland remains set to hold Iron Defender-25, with upwards of 30,000 troops and the participation of NATO allies. Exercise Tharssis will host forces from 10 NATO nations in Latvia, and Lithuania is also holding exercise Thunder Strike this September.

Military Affairs

Dw.Com

Forces News

This month has also seen Germany hold the Quadriga 2025 military exercise with 13 NATO nations on its eastern flank, while Poland remains set to hold Iron Defender-25, with upwards of 30,000 troops and the participation of NATO allies. Exercise Tharssis will host forces from 10 NATO nations in Latvia, and Lithuania is also holding exercise Thunder Strike this September.

NATO is right to be nervous about Russian-led exercises on its borders. These troop build ups could be used as cover for real military operations and NATO needs to remain vigilant. The last time Russia held such military exercises in 2021, they invaded Ukraine shortly thereafter, suggesting the West must keep a watchful eye over supposedly 'defensive' operations.

NATO is right to be nervous about Russian-led exercises on its borders. These troop build ups could be used as cover for real military operations and NATO needs to remain vigilant. The last time Russia held such military exercises in 2021, they invaded Ukraine shortly thereafter, suggesting the West must keep a watchful eye over supposedly 'defensive' operations.

NATOs eastern flank braces for Russias war games

TVP World

Threats from Moscow must be taken with deadly seriousness, Sikorski says

The Zapad-2025 drills are routine exercises which Western nations have long known about. They are defensive, 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, 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.

Kremlin describes Zapad-2025 as routine drills not aimed at third countries

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.

Russia, Belarus Launch 'Zapad' Military Exercise

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Russia, Belarus Launch 'Zapad' Military Exercise

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