A joint military exercise between Russian and Belarusian forces has started amid escalating tensions in the region.Dubbed “Zapad,” the Russian word for “west,” the exercises will see significant military activity in regions close to key European borders and amid a recent ramping up of Russian aggression in both its ongoing war against Ukraine and, now, against neighboring NATO states.What is Zapad 2025?Zapad, held every four years, sees Russia and its chief European ally Belarus undertake joint military exercises in each of their territories.It is considered the key event for the “Union State” forces, a joint economic and defense partnership between the two nations. The purpose of the exercise is to simulate and prepare for possible conflict.The first post-Soviet Zapad drills occurred in 1999 and have taken place every four years since 2009. The joint exercises were last held in 2021, prior to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This year’s exercises will run from September 12 to 16.Where are the joint exercises taking place?Zapad 2025 will take place primarily in Belarus, which borders several EU and NATO members — Poland, Latvia and Lithuania — and Ukraine. Reported locations for activity include the city of Barysaw, about 74 kilometers (46 miles) northeast of Belarus’s capital, Minsk, and the Grodno region, which borders Poland and Lithuania.Some exercises will occur in western Russia, and naval deployments have also taken place in the Baltic and Barents seas, and the Arctic Ocean.How many troops are involved?Around 200,000 troops from Russia and Belarus were involved in the 2021 edition of Zapad. That was before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which has imposed significant losses on Russian forces.However, analysts warn that Russia and Belarus may deliberately underestimate Zapad participation numbers. The most recent reports from the two participating nations indicated fewer than 13,000 troops were expected to attend the exercises in 2025.What are Russia and Belarus doing?Reports from Russian and Belarusian forces said Zapad will use heavy armored vehicles, helicopters and ships as part of the exercises in both nations. Drones, electronic warfare technology and artificial intelligence are also expected to be used.The exercises across both nations will simulate operations to repel enemy attacks and rehearse missile strikes on ground-level targets. Belarus has also confirmed that drills preparing for the use of Russian nuclear-capable Oreshnik missiles would also be undertaken. Why are other nations concerned?Zapad 2021 provided an opportunity for Russian forces to remain in Belarus for several months to launch the full-scale invasion of Ukraine more effectively.And as Belarus is again hosting drills, neighboring NATO members are on high alert for the possibility of similar Russian action. While announced months ago, Zapad 2025 now also takes place in the immediate aftermath of a Russian drone incursion into Poland. It marked the first time a NATO state had fired on Russian targets. It also comes after a week of major drone strikes against Ukrainian targets.Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the Zapad drills in the aftermath of the drone incursion put his country at its closest point to “open conflict” since World War II.In response to Zapad, Poland has closed its border to Belarus and begun its own military exercises, dubbed “Iron Defender.” According to Poland’s defense minister, this will involve 30,000 troops, with a further 5,000 posted to the Belarusian border.Lithuania has also told reporters that it will provide an increased presence along its border.
