Russia and Belarus to Hold First Zapad Military Drills Since Ukraine Invasion on Sept. 12-16
Zapad-2025 will test the military readiness of Russia and Belarus with about 13,000 troops participating and include exercises on nuclear weapons and hypersonic missile use.
- On September 12-16, the Belarusian Defence Ministry announced that Russia and Belarus will conduct joint Zapad-2025 exercises in Belarus.
- Belarusian defence officials pointed to NATO drills in Poland involving at least 34,000 troops as evidence of growing militarisation along Belarus’ borders.
- Zapad-2025 will feature air defence drills, defensive combat scenarios, repelling incursions, and tactical aviation support at Borisov, with about 13,000 personnel.
- Senior Ukrainian officials warned the exercises could serve as cover for preparing another attack from Belarus, and NATO and neighbouring countries said they will continue to monitor troop movements.
- Under the Treaty on Security Assurances within the Union State, Khrenin said forces will rehearse nuclear planning and Oreshnik missile use.
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58 Articles
Shortly before Trump's Putin meeting Belarus announces an exercise. Nuclear weapons are supposed to play a role. An influence on the meeting is not planned.
In September, Russian and Belarusian forces intend to carry out further joint exercises. A special role will also be played by the nuclear-weapon-capable Oreshnik rocket, which was fired on Ukraine for the first time in 2024.


Belarus to practice nuclear-capable missile use in Russia drills
Russian and Belarusian military exercises next month to involve Oreshnik hypersonic missile
Joint exercises to be held by the Russian and Belarusian armies next month will include drills on the planned use of nuclear weapons and the Russian-made, intermediate-range hypersonic Oreshnik missile, Belarus' defence minister said on Wednesday.
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