Zapad-2025: Russia and Belarus Launch Joint Military Maneuvers Amid Rising Tensions with NATO

On Friday, Russia and Belarus commenced their joint military drills, marking the first Zapad exercises since Russia initiated its comprehensive invasion of Ukraine.

The Zapad-2025 exercises, scheduled to continue until September 16, aim to assess the preparedness of both nations to thwart an enemy assault, reclaim lost territories, and secure the borders of their Union State, as stated by the defense ministries of both countries.

Russia revealed that the drills will be conducted in two stages: the first stage will emphasize defense and coordination, while the second will focus on reclaiming territory and overcoming enemy forces. The exercises are being held at training grounds in both Belarus and Russia, as well as in the Baltic and Barents Seas.

Belarus has characterized the drills as defensive in nature and confined to its eastern regions. Earlier this year, officials in Minsk had indicated that around 13,000 troops would participate, but this number was later revised down to approximately 6,500, a significant reduction compared to the 200,000 soldiers involved in the Zapad-2021 drills.

Moscow announced that it extended invitations to observers from defense and economic alliances led by Russia and China.

The drills coincide with escalating tensions along NATO’s eastern border, with Poland accusing Russia this week of intentionally sending drones into its airspace. In reaction to this incursion, Poland and NATO scrambled fighter jets to intercept the drones, marking the first instance of the Western military alliance engaging Russian targets since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated to reporters on Thursday that the Zapad-2025 exercises had been pre-planned and were not aimed at any «third country.»

«This is about enhancing military collaboration and improving coordination between two strategic allies. We will persist with this approach, which is no secret to anyone,» Peskov remarked.

These exercises also occur in the context of Russia’s deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. Minsk disclosed that the drills will include trials of Russia’s new experimental nuclear-capable missile, referred to as Oreshnik, along with nuclear strike training.

A video released by Russia’s Defense Ministry to mark the commencement of Zapad-2025 showcased military operations across various environments, featuring armored vehicles navigating wooded paths, attack helicopters and bombers in flight, and naval ships, including a submarine, engaged at sea.

In anticipation of the exercises, Poland closed its border with Belarus on Thursday, with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk referring to the drills as «very aggressive.» Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania have enacted airspace restrictions near their borders with Russia and Belarus.

Additionally, Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania conducted their own military exercises in August and earlier this month, which analysts noted appeared strategically timed to coincide with Zapad-2025. Approximately 30,000 Polish and allied troops participated in Poland’s drills, named Iron Defender 2025.