Between September 12 and 16, the joint military exercise Zapad 2025 took place, with Belarus as the host country and the participation of the Russian Armed Forces. During the maneuvers, the troops practiced planning the use of non-strategic nuclear weapons and the deployment of the new Oreshnik hypersonic missile system.
The Chief of the General Staff of Belarus and First Deputy Minister of Defense, Pavel Muraveiko, highlighted that “all the assigned tasks were practiced. Among other milestones, I can emphasize the planning and consideration of the use of non-strategic nuclear weapons, as well as the evaluation and deployment of the mobile Oreshnik missile system.”
Muraveiko also noted that the forces employed various versions of unmanned aerial vehicles and analyzed combat schemes in towns, forested areas, swamps, and urban zones. “Our Russian colleagues shared their combat experience with us, which allows us to state that today our units are receiving the latest updates and information applicable in combat scenarios,” he added.
For his part, the Belarusian Minister of Defense, Viktor Khrenin, had previously announced that Russia would deploy the Oreshnik system during the exercises, along with drills related to the use of nuclear weapons. “This is an important element of our strategic deterrence. As the head of state requires, we must be prepared for anything. We see the situation on our western and northern borders and we cannot calmly watch the militarization and military activity. We demonstrate our openness and peacefulness, but we must always remain safe,” he stated.
The announcement of Oreshnik’s participation came shortly after Moscow confirmed the start of production of this system. As official media recalled, the missile had reportedly already been used previously against Ukrainian positions in the city of Dnipro, in response to ATACMS and Storm Shadow missile attacks. Initially, it was reported that the strike had been carried out with RS-26 Rubezh missiles, but later U.S. reports and statements by President Vladimir Putin pointed to the use of the Oreshnik.
In parallel, the decision to deploy the new weapon comes in a context of growing tension with NATO. The Kremlin stated last week that Russia will no longer impose restrictions on the sites where its intermediate-range missiles with nuclear capability may be stationed, citing an increase in militarization on the borders shared with Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia.
The Belarusian Ministry of Defense also reported that, within the framework of Zapad 2025, tests were carried out for aviation to use sections of highways as alternative airfields.
*Images for illustrative purposes only
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