Belarus and Russia launched their joint strategic military exercise Zapad-2025 on September 12, marking the final phase of this year’s combined training program for the two nations’ armed forces, amid tensions with Warsaw.

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“The practical actions of the troops will take place at military training grounds in Belarus and Russia, as well as in the waters of the Baltic and Barents Seas,” the Russian Ministry of Defense specified when announcing the start of the exercises.

Fewer troops are participating compared to 2021, when 200,000 were reported, but the exercises will still feature not only Russian and Belarusian forces, but also personnel from countries like India and Iran.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov commented on Thursday on Western concerns over the joint Zapad-2025 military exercises, which will be held until September 16, stressing that the event is not directed against any third country.

Last week, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk threatened Belarus with “special measures” over the drills and said that his country, together with its NATO allies, is preparing for the maneuvers. The prime minister also accused Moscow and Minsk of conducting exercises that “simulate an attack, not a defense,” thus repeating the Western fabricated narrative about Russia’s alleged plan to attack Europe.

Furthermore, Poland closed the border with Belarus.

In this regard, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova emphasized that the Zapad-2025 exercises are conducted regularly, with full public coverage and with invitations extended to representatives of all OSCE member states, including Poland, to observe them.

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