Russia and Belarus have commenced the Zapad-25 military exercise, sparking tension in Eastern Europe. The drills, taking place near the borders of Poland and Lithuania, involve thousands of troops and have prompted Poland to deploy 40,000 soldiers to its border. The exercise, described as defensive by Russia, has led to increased security measures, including restricted airspace in Poland and Latvia.
Tensions Rise as Russia and Belarus Launch Zapad-25 Military Exercise
Tensions Rise as Russia and Belarus Launch Zapad-25 Military Exercise
Just over two days after Poland shot down Russian drones, Russia and Belarus have begun a joint military exercise, Zapad-25. Some maneuvers are set to occur just kilometers from the borders of Poland and Lithuania.
Zapad-25 is underway.
Russia has held such military exercises regularly since 1999, but this is the first since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The exercise is expected to continue along NATO's eastern flank until September 16. Primarily in Belarus, which borders NATO countries Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania, but also in the Baltic Sea, Barents Sea, and the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad.
Near the Border
The majority of the exercise will take place around the city of Barysaw, just over 70 kilometers northeast of Minsk, according to Defense News. However, smaller units will also be near the border with Poland and Lithuania, the site reports, citing a previous statement from Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin.
The exact number of soldiers participating is unknown.
The figure of 13,000 soldiers was communicated from Belarus, which was later reduced to about half. Meanwhile, analysts have warned that the actual number could be significantly higher, writes the Daily Mail.
40,000 Polish Soldiers
Poland and the Baltic countries are holding their breath ahead of the exercise.
The situation is tense, not least after the Russian drones violated Polish airspace earlier in the week.
Tens of thousands of Polish soldiers have now been deployed.
"In the coming days, we will have about 40,000 soldiers at the border," said Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk to the TV channel Polsat News late on Wednesday.
Poland has previously announced that it is restricting air traffic in eastern Poland until December, in response to the drones. Latvia is doing the same along the border with Belarus and Russia.
Means "West"
But even before the drone incidents, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called the planned exercises during Zapad-25 "very aggressive," and announced that Poland is closing the border with Belarus on the night of Thursday.
Zapad, which means "west," is on paper a defensive exercise. It is not directed against any other country, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.
"It is about continued military cooperation between two strategic allies," he said on Thursday according to Reuters.