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3w ago

Russia and Belarus Launch Zapad-2025 Near NATO Borders After Drones Enter Poland

NATO jets downed Russian drones over Poland, prompting Warsaw to close crossings before deploying tens of thousands of troops.

Russian paratroopers walk before boarding Ilyushin Il-76 transport planes as they take part in the military exercises "Zapad-2021" staged by the armed forces of Russia and Belarus at an aerodrome in Kaliningrad Region, Russia. September 13, 2021. (REUTERS/Vitaly Nevar)
As part of the Zapad-2025 exercise, mortar crews destroyed the firing positions of a simulated enemy (Photo: Russian Defence Ministry)

Overview

  • Russia’s Defence Ministry says the main phase of Zapad-2025 began Friday with roughly 30,000 personnel, including about 8,000 drilling on Belarusian soil.
  • Exercises span ranges in Belarus and Russia and extend to the Baltic and Barents seas, with Russian long-range bombers and naval anti-sabotage units featured in released footage.
  • Poland shuttered road and rail crossings with Belarus on security grounds, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk calling the maneuvers very aggressive.
  • Polish and allied NATO fighters shot down Russian attack drones over Poland on September 10, in what officials described as the alliance’s first engagement of Russian targets in allied airspace.
  • Poland has massed about 40,000 troops along its borders with Belarus and Russia, and Polish officials say Minsk provided an advance warning about incoming drones.