Russia and Belarus have begun the Zapad 2025 joint strategic exercise in Belarus, Russia, and the neutral waters of the Baltic and Barents Seas, areas surrounded by NATO states.
The Russian Defense Ministry said the drills aim to strengthen command coordination, coalition operations, and “peacekeeping” capabilities. The first phase focuses on repelling attacks on the Union State, while the second simulates restoring territorial integrity with support from coalition partners.
Units from the CSTO, SCO, and other allied countries were invited to observe and join parts of the exercise. The drills follow heightened tensions after Russian drones violated Polish airspace.