The joint strategic exercise of the Armed Forces of Belarus and Russia, named Zapad-2025 (Запад-2025), began this Friday (12).
The maneuver is considered the final stage of the joint military training cycle between the two countries this year and involves a wide range of defense and regional cooperation scenarios.
+ Click here to watch the video
Objectives of the exercise
According to the Defense Ministries of Minsk and Moscow, the main objective of “Zapad-2025” is to enhance command and coordination skills among combined arms units, regional formations, and troop coalitions. The focus is on the ability to respond to aggression against the Union State (bloc formed by Russia and Belarus), as well as on stabilization and peacekeeping missions.
The exercise will be divided into two stages:
First phase: defense against aggression toward the Union State, unit command, and logistical coordination.
Second phase: restoration of territorial integrity and defeat of the enemy, with participation of allied forces from the CSTO, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and other partner countries.
The practical activities will take place at training grounds in both Belarus and Russia, as well as naval exercises in the Baltic and Barents Seas.
The “Zapad” (“West” in Russian) exercises are held regularly and often generate tension with neighboring NATO countries, which see the maneuvers as shows of force by Moscow and Minsk. The 2025 edition comes amid growing military friction in Eastern Europe, especially following recent incidents involving drones and aircraft in the airspace of Poland and the Baltic States.
Poland’s reaction
In direct response to the start of “Zapad-2025” and the incursion of 19 Russian drones into its airspace, Poland announced early Friday morning the closure of its border with Belarus.
Warsaw placed its armed forces on high alert and installed security barriers along the frontier. The closure caused delays for buses and vehicles attempting to cross border checkpoints.
Polish authorities state that the measure is preventive, given what they consider a worrying military escalation in the region.
+ Ukrainian drone halts Russian convoy and causes panic among soldiers
Source and images: Telegram @mod_russia. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
