Russia and Belarus are honing their skills in testing a fresh missile system.
In September 2025, Russia and Belarus conducted their joint military exercise, Zapad 2025. The exercises, which took place in Belarus, Russia, and the Baltic and polar Barents Seas, were smaller than those in 2021, when Russia used the exercise to prepare for its invasion of Ukraine.
One of the significant events during Zapad 2025 was the planning and testing of the deployment of non-strategic nuclear weapons, specifically the mobile missile complex Oreschnik (Hazel). Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko has been pushing for the nuclear-capable missile Oreschnik to also be stationed in his country. Russia maintains tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, and during the exercises, they practiced the deployment plan for the new Russian intermediate-range missile Oreschnik. However, no launches of the Oreschnik missile have been reported since the strike on Dnipro.
Pavel Muraveiko, the Belarusian Chief of General Staff, announced that all tasks set for Zapad 2025 have been completed, but he did not provide further details about the exercises. Approximately 6,000 Belarusian soldiers and 1,000 Russian soldiers participated in Zapad 2025 in Belarus, according to the Belarusian Minister of Defense, Viktor Khrenin.
The exercises posed no direct threat to NATO, according to Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda. However, amid the escalating conflict between Russia and the West, Poland has kept its border with Belarus closed.
In a related incident, a large number of Russian drones entered Polish airspace before Zapad 2025, with some being shot down by NATO fighter jets. NATO did not consider the incident an attack, but a Russian provocation to test defensive capabilities on the eastern flank.
As a response to the military activities, NATO forces conducted exercises in Poland and the Baltic countries. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda stated that NATO exercises outnumbered those on the other side of the border.
Despite the completion of Zapad 2025, Poland has decided to keep its border with Belarus closed. The decision comes amid concerns over the potential use of the Oreschnik missile and the ongoing conflict between Russia and the West.
Western military experts estimate higher numbers for the participation of Russian soldiers in Zapad 2025, although specific names have not been identified in the provided search results. The experts' estimations suggest a larger military presence than officially reported by Russia and Belarus.
In conclusion, Zapad 2025 was a significant military exercise that involved the planning and testing of the deployment of non-strategic nuclear weapons. The exercises have raised concerns among NATO countries, leading to increased military activities and border closures. The situation remains tense as the conflict between Russia and the West continues to escalate.
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