Zapad-2025

Poland urges its citizens to leave Belarus immediately and warns against all travel to the neighboring country

Poland’s Foreign Ministry advised citizens against any travel to Belarus and urged those already there to leave immediately, the Polish Embassy in Minsk said on Sept. 26.

26 September 2025, 10:39 AM

Russia pulls troops out of Belarus after Zapad-2025 military drills

Russian troops have fully returned to their territory following the conclusion of the Zapad-2025 military exercises, State Border Guard Service of Ukraine spokesperson Andrii Demchenko said at the national News on Sept. 22.

22 September 2025, 02:11 PM

Border tensions disrupt overland China–EU trade

Poland closing its border with Belarus has shut a substantial trade corridor between the EU and China that handles EUR25 billion ($29.5 billion) in annual shipments, Politico reported on Sept. 18.

18 September 2025, 09:48 PM

Poland launches major drills near Belarus border

Large-scale tank and air force exercises codenamed Iron Gate began at the Orzysz military training ground about 100 kilometers from the Suwałki Gap, Polish outlet TVP Info reported on Sept. 17.

17 September 2025, 03:56 PM

India deploys elite troops to Russia-Belarus' Zapad-2025 drills

India has dispatched a military contingent to participate in the Russia-Belarus Zapad-2025 exercises taking place in Belarus, The Times reported on Sept. 15, citing a statement from the Indian Defense Ministry.

16 September 2025, 12:25 PM

Medvedev, Iskanders, and war games: How Russia’s Zapad-2025 drills and fresh Kremlin threats push NATO closer to conflict — ISW

Russia is using its Zapad-2025 military exercises to rehearse not only hybrid but direct military provocations against neighboring NATO states, while ramping up threats following the recent drone incursion into Poland, according to a Sept. 15 report from the Institute for the Study of War.

16 September 2025, 10:51 AM

U.S. officers arrive to observe Russia-Belarus Zapad-2025 drills

U.S. military officers made an unexpected visit to Belarus to observe joint exercises with Russia, Reuters reported on Sept. 15.

15 September 2025, 04:57 PM

Amid Russian drones in NATO states, Zapad-2025 drills focus on UAVs – Lithuania

The active phase of this year’s joint Russian-Belarusian Zapad drills is placing significant focus on drone use, Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene said, LRT reported on Sept. 15.

15 September 2025, 12:56 PM

Russian troops return to Belarus for Zapad-2025 military exercises

Russia deployed soldiers and equipment to Belarus for Zapad-2025 drills, but their numbers are significantly smaller than in 2023, State Border Guard spokesperson Andrii Demchenko said at a national TV broadcast on Sept. 12.

12 September 2025, 01:42 PM

Belarus erects bases for potential Oreshnik missile deployment

Belarus has begun constructing new military bases, with one near Minsk potentially set to house Oreshnik ballistic missiles, Radio Liberty’s investigative project Schemes reported on Sept. 10.

10 September 2025, 06:10 PM

No signs of another cross-border invasion from Belarus

As Russia and Belarus are preparing for their Zapad-2025 joint military exercises, there are no signs of an invasion force forming near Ukraine’s border with Belarus, Ukrainian State Border Guard Service spokesman Andriy Demchenko said on Sept. 9.

9 September 2025, 11:44 PM

Poland seals Belarus border ahead of Russian military drills

Poland will close its border with Belarus this week due to the planned joint Russian-Belarusian military exercises Zapad-2025, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Sept. 9, according to RMF24.

9 September 2025, 07:43 PM

Poland urges citizens to leave Belarus immediately

Polish citizens are advised to leave Belarus immediately and avoid travel there, Poland’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Pawel Wronski said on Sept. 5.

6 September 2025, 12:45 AM

Poland launches its largest military drills of 2025 in response to Russia’s Zapad exercise

Poland has begun its largest military drills of the year, Iron Defender 25, with more than 30,000 troops and 600 pieces of military equipment taking part in land, sea, and air operations, RMF24 reported Sept. 1.

2 September 2025, 10:21 AM

‘Furious Wolf 2025’: Lithuania to hold drills on Belarus border amid Russian troop movements

Lithuania will hold the Aršus vilkas 2025 (Furious Wolf 2025) military exercises Aug. 11–22 in areas bordering Belarus, Delfi reported on Aug. 10, citing the Lithuanian army.

11 August 2025, 08:21 PM

Several hundred Russian troops arrive in Belarus for drills; border guards see no immediate threat

Several hundred Russian troops have arrived in Belarus for planned military exercises, along with shipments of military equipment, State Border Guard Service spokesperson Andrii Demchenko said on Aug. 11.

11 August 2025, 01:55 PM

Russian troops land in Belarus for Zapad-2025 exercises

The first echelon of Russian troops and equipment arrived in Belarus to prepare for the Zapad-2025 joint strategic military exercises scheduled for this fall, Belarus’ Defense Ministry announced on Aug. 6.

6 August 2025, 08:59 PM

Russian Zapad-2025 drills in Belarus to involve 100,000-150,000 troops, Latvian general says

Russia’s Zapad-2025 military exercises in Belarus, scheduled for September 2025, could involve 100,000 to 150,000 troops, far exceeding Russia’s reported figures, Latvian Major General Andis Dilāns told Radio NV on June 9.

11 June 2025, 03:50 PM

Ukraine monitoring Belarus border for Russian actions during upcoming military drills

Russia could exploit joint military exercises with Belarus to stage actions against Ukraine, as the Belarusian border remains a threat, State Border Guard Service spokesperson Andriy Demchenko told NV on April 29.

30 April 2025, 01:10 PM

Belarusian troops haven’t invaded Ukraine because they’re not ready — military expert

Belarusian forces didn’t join Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine because they simply weren’t prepared for real combat, said Ukrainian military analyst Serhiy Hrabskyi in an interview with NV on April 11.

12 April 2025, 02:25 PM

Zapad-2025