Belarus moves part of joint drills with Russia away from Western border

Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin reported the information.

According to him, moving the main maneuvers of the military exercises deeper into Belarus, away from the western borders, demonstrates "readiness for dialogue and reducing tension in the region."

"In terms of intensity and scale, the Zapad exercises have 'always been incomparable' to the training activities conducted in Europe by NATO member states. However, traditionally, the very fact of its conduct provokes stereotypical speculations from representatives of the military-political leadership of certain European states," says the Belarusian minister.

Khrenin noted that the exercises will be moved deeper into the country "to demonstrate to allies and partners around the world the truly peace-loving position of the Republic of Belarus."

What is known about Zapad-2025

On October 23, 2024, the Ministry of Defense of Belarus announced joint exercises with Russia, Zapad-2025. They are scheduled for mid-September 2025.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys stated that NATO is ready to respond to joint Russian-Belarusian exercises. 

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the Russians are "preparing something" in Belarus in the summer under the guise of military exercises.

Later, it was reported that during the joint Russian-Belarusian exercises, the military plans to practice tactical nuclear weapons strikes and the use of Oreshnik.