Russia deploys hundreds of troops, equipment to Belarus for military drills, Ukraine reports

Ukrinform reported the information.

“Several hundred Russian Armed Forces personnel and several dozen units of equipment have already arrived in Belarus. At the same time, Belarus has sent some of its own units and forces to Russia, where parts of the exercises will also take place,” Demchenko said.

The spokesman emphasized that Ukraine is closely monitoring the ongoing arrival of Russian troops in Belarus and considers this a potential threat.

“Given the forces currently deployed, this does not pose a significant threat from Belarus. Additionally, we have not observed any strike formations being created or positioned near our border on Belarusian territory,” Demchenko concluded.

What’s known about Zapad‑2025 drills

On October 23, 2024, Belarus’s Ministry of Defense announced that the joint military exercises Zapad‑2025 with Russia were scheduled for mid‑September 2025.

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

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia is “preparing something” in Belarus during the summer under the cover of military exercises.

It was later reported that during Zapad‑2025, Russian and Belarusian forces plan to practice 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 joint exercises deeper into the country, allegedly to reduce tensions.

On August 6, the first train carrying Russian troops and military equipment arrived in Belarus to prepare for and participate in the joint military exercises Zapad‑2025.