Russian and Belarusian military forces started their joint strategic Zapad 2025 exercises, with up to 30,000 troops participating in the six-day drills set to run from September 12-16.
Participation and Exercises
The drills involve 13,000 soldiers from both Russia and Belarus according to official reports, but the Lithuanian intelligence service estimates real troop numbers could reach 30,000.
Exercised Capabilities
Participants will conduct ground, air, missile, and drone operations during the exercises, which will also feature a hypersonic missile – the Oresnik – and simulated nuclear weapons.
International Participation
Contingents from Collective Security Treaty Organization and Shanghai Cooperation Organization countries have been invited to observe the maneuvers, although no specific countries have confirmed attendance.
Border Security
In response to the drills, Poland has closed all border crossings with Belarus and has deployed additional military units to its border region.
Background
The Zapad 2021 exercises occurred just prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine from Belarusian territory in February 2022.
