The Armed Forces of Russia and Belarus launched the joint military exercise Zapad-2025 this Friday, the first since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The drills will run until September 16 and, according to the defense ministries of both countries, are aimed at testing the capacity for defense, territorial recovery, and border protection of the so-called “Union State.”
According to Moscow, the exercise is divided into two phases: the first focused on defense and coordination, and the second on regaining territory and defeating enemy forces. The activities are being conducted at training grounds in Belarus and Russia, as well as in maritime areas in the Baltic and Barents Seas.
The Belarusian Ministry of Defense described the exercise as defensive and limited to its eastern regions. In January, Minsk estimated the participation at 13,000 troops, but later cut the figure in half—far below the 200,000 who took part in Zapad-2021. Russia stated that observers from defense and economic blocs led by Moscow and Beijing were invited.
The Kremlin, through spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, said the drills “had been planned in advance and are not directed against any third country.” He added: “This is an exercise in military cooperation and coordination between two strategic allies. We will continue on this course, which is no secret to anyone.”
The role of nuclear weapons and the Oreshnik missile
The drills are taking place against the backdrop of Russia’s deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. According to Minsk authorities, Zapad-2025 will include nuclear training and the display of the new Oreshnik hypersonic missile, which is nuclear-capable.
Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin stated days earlier that this weapon would be part of the drills: “This is an important element of our strategic deterrence. As demanded by the head of state, we must be prepared for anything. We see the situation on our western and northern borders and cannot calmly watch the militarization and military activity. We demonstrate openness and peacefulness, but we must always remain safe.”
The incorporation of the Oreshnik coincides with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement that Moscow will no longer impose restrictions on where it can deploy nuclear-capable intermediate-range missiles. Western analysts have noted that such weapons may have been used by Russia in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, following ATACMS and Storm Shadow missile strikes supplied to Kyiv.
Regional reactions and parallel drills
The start of Zapad-2025 comes amid heightened tensions along NATO’s eastern border. This week, Poland accused Russia of deliberately flying drones into its airspace, which were subsequently shot down by NATO. It marked the first attack against Russian targets since the start of the conflict in 2022.
As a preventive measure, Poland closed its border with Belarus on Thursday, while Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania imposed restrictions in their airspace near the borders with Russia and Belarus. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the drills as “very aggressive.”
In response, Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania conducted the military exercise Iron Defender 2025 in August and early September, involving about 30,000 Polish and allied troops, coinciding with the schedule of Zapad-2025.
A video released by the Russian Ministry of Defense showed armored vehicles, attack helicopters, bombers, warships, and a submarine in action, marking one of the largest joint displays of force between Moscow and Minsk in recent years.
Images for illustrative purposes.
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