A recent Russian military exercise, Zapad 2025, ended with a broadcast blunder on state TV, revealing an inflatable fighter jet prop instead of an actual aircraft.
Exercise Details
The Zapad 2025 military exercise took place from September 12 to 16 in Belarus, involving several thousand Russian troops and military equipment.
The exercise was scaled down compared to previous years, with an estimated 7,000 to several dozen thousand Russian soldiers participating, according to various sources.
The Inflatable Prop Blunder
A broadcast on Russian state TV channel Zvezda showed an inflatable Su-33 fighter jet prop, which was not even fully inflated, instead of an operational aircraft.
Analysts, including Guy Plopsky, pointed out the error on social media, highlighting the poorly made prop used to deceive potential enemies.
Regional Implications and Response
The exercise, officially aimed at defense, was perceived by neighboring countries, especially Poland, as an element of aggressive Kremlin policy.
The reduced scale of the exercise was attributed to Russia’s ongoing involvement in the war in Ukraine, where most of its military resources are engaged.
