Russian President Putin states that a total of 100,000 troops are participating in joint Russian-Belarusian military drills.
Zapad-2025 Military Drills: Global Participation Near EU Borders
The Russia-Belarus joint military drills, Zapad-2025, are currently underway and will conclude on Tuesday. These drills, taking place in Belarus, a country bordering the EU, have been observed by its neighbors such as Poland and the Baltic states.
Representatives from around 20 countries, including NATO members like the United States, Hungary, and Turkey, are attending the drills. Contingents from Iran, India, and other Asian and African countries are also participating, according to Russian news agencies. Military contingents from Bangladesh, Belarus, India, Iran, Burkina Faso, the Congo, and Mali are participating to varying degrees.
President Vladimir Putin confirmed that the aim of these maneuvers is to 'put in place all the necessary elements for the unconditional defense of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and protection against any aggression' of the Russia-Belarus alliance. The drills involve 100,000 soldiers, 10,000 weapons systems, and military equipment.
A part of these drills is happening near the EU's borders, causing concern in Kyiv and among Europeans. The drills are incorporating 'massive use of drones' and 'electronic warfare means.'
While these drills are ongoing, Russia has deployed hundreds of thousands of soldiers on the Ukrainian front, a country against which it launched a large-scale offensive in February 2022. The Russian troops are training to repel a large-scale military aggression on three fronts and in the Arctic zone.
On Tuesday, a Russian frigate is scheduled to fire a Zircon hypersonic cruise missile as part of the Zapad-2025 drills. The Zircon, belonging to a new family of weapons developed by Moscow, will be used during the drills.
Minsk has confirmed the attendance of military contingents from various countries during the Zapad-2025 drills. Putin was accompanied by Defense Minister Andrei Belooussov and members of the general staff during his visit.
The Zapad-2025 drills are taking place on 41 training grounds. The drills officially began on September 12, 2025, and are scheduled to end on September 16, 2025.
These drills, while raising concerns among some EU countries, are intended to strengthen the Russia-Belarus alliance's ability to defend against potential aggression. It is important to note that the information provided here is factual and serves to inform the reader about the ongoing military drills.
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