Russia-Belarus Launch Zapad-2025 Military Drills Near NATO

Russia and Belarus have started a large-scale joint military exercise called Zapad-2025, involving drills in both countries and in nearby seas, including the Baltic Sea and the Barents Sea. The announcement came from the Russian Defence Ministry on Friday, September 12, 2025. These exercises are a major display of military strength by Russia and its close ally Belarus and are occurring at a time of heightened tension in Europe, following recent incidents involving Russian drones in Polish airspace.

Timing of the Exercise

The timing of Zapad-2025 is particularly sensitive. Just two days before the exercise began, Poland, with the backing of NATO allies, shot down suspected Russian drones flying over its territory. Poland’s Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, called the drone flights a “provocation on a large scale,” although Russia has denied any involvement. Despite the drone incident, Russian officials say that the military exercise had been planned long before the drones were detected over Poland.

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Objectives of Zapad-2025

The Russian Defence Ministry outlined the main goals of the exercise on its official Telegram account. According to the ministry, the drills aim to:

• Improve the skills of military commanders and staff in both countries.

• Enhance cooperation and coordination among regional troops and coalition forces.

• Conduct field training exercises to prepare for potential attacks.

The exercises are designed in two main stages.

Stage One: Defensive Operations

In the first stage, the troops will simulate repelling an attack against Russia and Belarus. These exercises are meant to test the readiness of the Union State, the formal alliance between Russia and Belarus, to defend their territory against external threats.

Stage Two: Offensive Operations

The second stage of Zapad-2025 will focus on restoring the territorial integrity of the Union State. It also includes crushing the enemy, which may involve participation from coalition forces provided by friendly states, according to the Russian Defence Ministry. This stage emphasizes joint operations with allies and highlights the strategic depth of the exercises.

Russian and Belarusian Statements

Despite concerns in the West, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday, September 11, 2025, that the drills are not directed against any other country. Russia portrays the exercises as defensive and routine, though their location near NATO borders has naturally caused worry in European capitals.

Poland and NATO’s Reaction

The recent drone incursion over Poland has increased tensions significantly. Western countries have described the drone flights as a deliberate provocation by Russia, although Moscow denies this claim. Russia has said that the drones were targeting locations in western Ukraine, but they were not intended to enter Polish airspace.

Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk described Zapad-2025 as a “very aggressive” exercise, even before the drones were shot down. He announced that Poland would close its border with Belarus at midnight on Thursday, September 11, 2025, as a precautionary measure.

Lithuania, which shares a border with Belarus, also said it would protect its borders during the military exercises. Belarus borders Lithuania and Latvia, both of which are NATO members, and the presence of Russian forces nearby has raised security alarms.

Comments from Russian Diplomats

A senior Russian diplomat stationed in Poland stated that the drones had come from the direction of Ukraine, not Belarus or Russia. The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed that Russian drones had carried out attacks in western Ukraine but emphasized that there was no intention of hitting targets in Poland.

International Response

The situation has attracted international attention. U.S. President Donald Trump commented on the drone incursion, saying it could have been a mistake. Speaking to reporters on September 11, 2025, he said: "I'm not happy about anything to do with the whole situation, but hopefully that's going to come to an end."

The international community is closely monitoring Zapad-2025, as it involves thousands of troops, armored vehicles, aircraft, and naval forces, all operating near NATO countries. The exercises are not only a test of military preparedness but also a strategic message in the context of ongoing conflicts in Eastern Europe.

Why Zapad-2025 Matters

The Zapad exercises have a long history. “Zapad” means “West” in Russian, and these exercises traditionally focus on simulating defense against Western forces. They are important for several reasons:

1. Testing Readiness: The exercises allow Russia and Belarus to evaluate how well their armed forces can respond to threats in real-time scenarios.

2. Strengthening Alliances: Belarus relies heavily on Russia for military support, and these exercises reinforce the Union State alliance.

3. Sending a Political Signal: Conducting such large-scale exercises near NATO borders demonstrates Russia’s military power and regional influence.

4. NATO Alert: For NATO, Zapad-2025 serves as a reminder to maintain high readiness and coordinate responses to potential threats.

Potential Risks

While Russia insists that Zapad-2025 is purely defensive, the proximity of the exercises to NATO countries increases the risk of miscalculations or accidents. The drone incursion over Poland highlights how quickly small incidents can escalate into larger diplomatic or military conflicts.

Historical Context

Past Zapad exercises have been held periodically, usually every four years, and often attract scrutiny from NATO. In 2017, for example, Zapad-2017 involved tens of thousands of Russian and Belarusian troops and prompted NATO to conduct its own exercises in response. Analysts say Zapad-2025 could be larger and more complex, given the ongoing tensions around Ukraine.

The start of Zapad-2025 marks a significant moment in European security. Russia and Belarus are conducting a major military display that tests their defense and offense capabilities, while NATO and neighboring countries remain on alert. The recent drone incident over Poland has added to the urgency and concern surrounding these drills.

As Zapad-2025 unfolds, it will serve not only as a test of military skill but also as a signal of strength and resolve from Russia and Belarus. For Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and other NATO members, the exercises underline the importance of vigilance and preparedness in a region marked by rising tensions and geopolitical uncertainty.