Strategies for nuclear arms development will be formulated during the "West-2025" military exercise
Zapad-2025: Joint Belarus-Russia Military Exercises Loom
Preparations are underway for the Zapad-2025 military exercises, a large-scale joint strategic drill scheduled to take place from September 12 to 16, 2025, on the territories of Belarus and Russia. The primary objective of these exercises is to test the combined military capabilities of both countries and ensure their readiness to respond to potential aggression, in the interests of securing the military security of the Union State, their political-military alliance[1][2].
The Zapad-2025 exercises are of particular significance this year, marking the first major Russia-Belarus maneuvers since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Previous exercises in the region have raised concerns, with Zapad-2022 notably preceding the Ukraine invasion[3][4][5].
Official Belarusian announcements have reduced the number of troops on Belarusian soil to approximately 7,000-8,000, an effort to ease regional tensions[2]. However, Western intelligence and Ukrainian officials estimate the total number of troops involved could be much higher—between 100,000 and 150,000—taking into account the possible deployment of Russian forces from elsewhere[2].
Neighboring countries, including EU members Poland and Lithuania, as well as organizations like NATO, have expressed concern and are closely monitoring these drills. There is apprehension that Zapad-2025 could be used as a cover for further Russian military aggression, potentially targeting these neighboring states[3][4][5]. To mitigate tensions, Belarus has invited observers to the exercises[1].
On August 13, 2025, the Belarusian Minister of Defense spoke on strategic deterrence, reassuring that they will closely monitor the Polish military leadership's troop grouping of more than 30-34 thousand troops. The Minister expressed concern about militarization and military activity on the western and northern borders, while maintaining that Belarus demonstrates openness and peacefulness but remains ready[6].
In the upcoming exercises, Belarusian and Russian military forces will work on planning the use of the "Oreshnik" complex. However, the Belarusian Minister of Defense did not provide details about the "Oreshnik" complex or its role in the exercises[7].
The Minister of Defense of Russia, Andrei Belousov, has stated that Zapad-2025 will be the most significant event of the year for Russia and the Republic of Belarus[8]. The exercises will involve more than 13,000 troops, and the Minister of Defense of Belarus has stated that they have the means to respond if there is any aggression towards the Republic of Belarus[9].
As the world watches, the Zapad-2025 exercises promise to be a test of military cooperation between Belarus and Russia, and a potential indicator of the strategic intentions of both nations in the region.
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/belarus-says-will-invite-observers-zapad-2025-military-drills-2025-08-04/ [2] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/belarus-says-will-reduce-troop-numbers-zapad-2025-drills-2025-08-04/ [3] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-58035082 [4] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/zapad-2021-russia-belarus-military-drills-spark-concern-amid-ukraine-tensions-2021-09-10/ [5] https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/21/world/europe/zapad-2021-russia-belarus-military-drills.html [6] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/belarus-defence-minister-warns-west-militarization-border-2025-08-13/ [7] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/belarus-defence-minister-says-will-not-disclose-details-zapad-2025-drills-2025-08-13/ [8] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/zapad-2025-russia-belarus-military-drills-to-be-significant-event-year-2025-08-13/ [9] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/belarus-defence-minister-says-belarus-can-respond-aggression-2025-08-13/
The society has raised concerns about the upcoming Zapad-2025 military exercises, as they possible portend to war-and-conflicts, given the previous connections between large-scale Russian-Belarusian maneuvers and political instability in the region. General-news outlets are closely monitoring the developments surrounding Zapad-2025, as they could significantly impact the politics of the involved nations and their neighboring states.
