A significant military presence is being mobilized on NATO’s eastern border as Russia and Belarus initiate a major joint military exercise. Named the “Zapad” or “West” 2025 drills, the operation is scheduled to occur in Russia and Belarus from Friday to Tuesday, September 16, amidst ongoing concerns following last week’s unprecedented drone incursion in Europe.
According to Moscow’s Defence Ministry, the exercises will encompass Russian land territories, along with regions of the Baltic and Barents seas. Notably, troops will engage in strategic planning involving nuclear weapons and the deployment of new nuclear-capable Oreshnik ballistic missiles that Russia intends to station in Belarus.
These maneuvers unfold against a backdrop of escalating tensions between Russia and the West, with US President Donald Trump expressing growing impatience toward Russian President Vladimir Putin and hinting at potential sanctions amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Recent incidents, such as Russian drones breaching Polish airspace, have raised fears among European leaders of a broader conflict along the eastern border. The drone intrusion, interpreted as a deliberate provocation by some leaders, marked the first time since the Russian invasion of Ukraine that NATO allies faced a potential threat in their airspace, possibly serving as a test of NATO’s preparedness for future incursions.
In response to the heightened security concerns, Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia have bolstered their defenses, with Poland even closing its border with Belarus during the military exercises. Concerns linger that the drills could serve as a prelude to a potential invasion of Europe, reminiscent of the massive troop buildup in the 2021 exercises that preceded the Ukrainian invasion.
While the Kremlin downplays worries this year, emphasizing the drills as routine and non-threatening, Polish President Tusk has criticized the aggressive nature of the Zapad exercises and announced the closure of Poland’s border for safety reasons amidst Russia’s perceived aggressive behavior.
Despite assurances that this year’s exercises will involve fewer troops compared to the 2021 drills, concerns persist as the activities are set to include Russia’s experimental nuclear-capable missile and nuclear strike simulations, as confirmed by Belarusian officials. In response, Poland and its allies plan to conduct counter-drills through September, evoking echoes of Cold War-era military posturing.
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