Zapad-2025: Russia and Belarus Launch Major Military Drills Amid Rising NATO Tensions

Russia and Belarus commenced joint military drills on Friday, marking the first Zapad exercises since Russia’s extensive invasion of Ukraine began.

The Zapad-2025 exercises, scheduled to continue until September 16, aim to evaluate the capabilities of both nations to thwart an enemy onslaught, reclaim lost territories, and secure their borders, as stated by the defense ministries of Russia and Belarus.

According to Russian officials, the drills will unfold in two phases: the first concentrating on defense and coordination, while the second will focus on recovering ground and overcoming opposing forces. The exercises will take place at training ranges in both Belarus and Russia, as well as in the Baltic and Barents Seas.

Belarus labels the exercises as defensive and limited to its eastern regions. Initially, officials in Minsk indicated that around 13,000 troops would participate; however, this number was later halved, a significant decrease compared to the 200,000 participants in the Zapad-2021 exercises.

Moscow has extended invitations to observers from defense and economic alliances led by both Russia and China.

These exercises are occurring amidst heightened tensions along NATO’s eastern borders, with Poland recently accusing Russia of intentionally sending drones into its airspace. In reaction to this aerial intrusion, Poland and NATO scrambled fighter jets to intercept the drones, marking the first instance of the Western military alliance targeting Russian assets since the onset of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov informed reporters on Thursday that the Zapad-2025 exercises were pre-planned and not aimed at “any third country.”

“This is about ongoing military collaboration and enhancing coordination between two strategic partners. We intend to pursue this approach, which is no secret to anyone,” Peskov remarked.

The exercises coincide with Russia’s deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. Minsk has indicated that the drills will incorporate Russia’s experimental nuclear-capable missile, known as Oreshnik, along with nuclear strike training.

A video from Russia’s Defense Ministry celebrating the commencement of Zapad-2025 depicted military units engaged in various activities, including armored vehicles moving through wooded areas, attack helicopters and bombers taking off, and naval vessels and submarines operating at sea.

Poland closed its border with Belarus on Thursday ahead of the drills, which Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk characterized as “very aggressive.” Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania have all implemented airspace restrictions near their borders with Russia and Belarus.

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