Russia and Belarus started Zapad-2025 military drills across their territories and nearby seas, heightening NATO tensions after Poland shot down drones.
Russia and Belarus begin Zapad-2025 drills near NATO
Russia and Belarus began large-scale joint military exercises on Friday, holding maneuvers across both countries as well as in the Baltic and Barents seas, the defense ministry in Moscow announced.
The exercise, called Zapad-2025 (“West”), comes at a tense moment in the war in Ukraine, just two days after Poland, supported by NATO aircraft, shot down drones that Warsaw says violated its airspace.
Drill objectives
According to the ministry, the first phase will simulate repelling an attack on the Union State of Russia and Belarus. A second stage will focus on restoring territorial integrity and “crushing the enemy,” with participation from allied forces of other friendly states.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the maneuvers — some taking place close to the Polish border — were not directed against any foreign country.
Western alarm
The drone incident earlier this week has fueled concern in Europe. Poland and its allies described it as a deliberate provocation by Moscow, while Russia denied responsibility and said its drones were targeting western Ukraine.
A Russian diplomat in Warsaw argued the devices may have crossed from Ukraine. U.S. President Donald Trump said the incursion into Polish airspace “could have been a mistake.”
Regional reactions
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk had already labeled the upcoming drills “very aggressive” and announced the closure of Poland’s border with Belarus on Thursday night.
Belarus also borders NATO members Lithuania and Latvia. Lithuania said it had stepped up border security in response to the exercises.
