Russia-Belarus drills present potential threat, Ukraine's Border Guard Service warns

Andrii Demchenko, spokesperson for Ukraine's Border Guard Service, said this on Espreso TV.

"Along our border, in the direction of our border on the territory of Belarus, we are not currently observing any strike group being formed or already formed. However, intelligence units are actively monitoring the announced joint exercises between Belarus and Russia," Demchenko noted.

He also emphasized that special attention should be paid to the active phase of the exercises, during which the threat from Belarus may increase.

"It is necessary to track how many of its forces Russia will be able or plans to involve during this active phase, as provocations or other actions cannot be ruled out. Once again, I can state that this direction remains threatening for us," the State Border Guard Service spokesperson added.

What is known about Zapad-2025 drills

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

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

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

It was later reported that during the Zapad-2025 joint exercises, Russian and Belarusian forces plan to simulate strikes with tactical nuclear weapons and the Oreshnik system.

On May 28, Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin announced that Belarus would move the main maneuvers of the planned Zapad-2025 drills deeper into the country, allegedly to reduce tensions.