Zapad-2025: Russia and Belarus Conduct Military Drills Amid Heightened Tensions with NATO

Russia and Belarus commenced joint military exercises on Friday, marking the first Zapad drills since Moscow initiated its large-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The Zapad-2025 exercises, scheduled to continue until September 16, aim to evaluate the capabilities of the two nations to fend off enemy assaults, reclaim lost territories, and secure what they refer to as their Union State’s borders, as stated by their respective Defense Ministries.

According to Russia, the drills will unfold in two stages: the initial phase will concentrate on defense and coordination, while the second phase will focus on recovering territory and neutralizing enemy forces. These exercises are taking place at military ranges in both Belarus and Russia, as well as in the Baltic and Barents Seas.

Belarus has characterized the drills as defensive, limited to its eastern regions. Although officials in Minsk initially announced that 13,000 troops would participate, they later scaled that estimate down to approximately half, significantly lower than the 200,000 troops involved in Zapad-2021.

Moscow mentioned that it has invited observers from military and economic alliances led by Russia and China.

These exercises occur amid escalating tensions along NATO’s eastern border, with Poland accusing Russia this week of intentionally sending drones into its airspace. In reaction to this airspace violation, Poland and NATO deployed fighter jets to intercept the drones, marking the first instance of the military alliance engaging Russian targets since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov informed reporters on Thursday that the Zapad-2025 exercises were scheduled in advance and are not aimed at «any third country.»

“This is about enhancing military cooperation and practicing coordination between two strategic allies. We will persist in this direction, which is hardly a secret,” Peskov stated.

The drills also coincide with Russia’s deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. Minsk has indicated that the exercises will involve Russia’s new experimental nuclear-capable missile, named Oreshnik, and training for nuclear strikes.

A video released by Russia’s Defense Ministry to mark the commencement of Zapad-2025 showcased military activities across various environments, including armored vehicles navigating through woods, attack helicopters and bombers taking off, along with naval vessels and a submarine at sea.

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

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