On Friday, September 12, Russia will start in Belarus extensive military exercises related to nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, in response, tens of thousands of NATO soldiers are already participating in even larger maneuvers in Poland.
The main activities under the “ZAPAD-2025” maneuvers will take place at a training ground near the city of Boris in Central Belarus, although, according to official statements, smaller exercises will take place near the Belarusian city of Hoża, located 13 km from the border with Lithuania.
The Hoża is located near the strategic corridor connecting Poland with Lithuania – the isthmus of Suwałki. The narrow section of the land on approx. 80 km is separated by Belarus from the Russian Królewiec region. According to experts, this area is called the “Achilles heel” NATO – for a reason, because it is there that the North Atlantic Alliance is most exposed to provocations.
Most of the branches participating in Russian-Belarusian “Zapad-2025” exercises, which will last until September 16will simulate attack and defense against nuclear weapons at military training grounds in the central or northwestern part of Belarus and in the Russian Królewiec region.
According to the Kremlin's statements, smaller contingents from Russian military districts in Moscow and St. Petersburg, the Arctic region, the Baltic Sea and the Barents Sea will also take part in the exercises.
According to official information provided by Minsk in Belarus, about 13,000 will be stationed. Russian and Belarusian soldiers. In June 2023, Russia announced that it arranged nuclear weapons in Belarusian territory, arguing that it is a necessary response to the supply of western long -range conventional weapons to Ukraine.
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In August, the dictator Aleksander Łukashenko said that the main goal of the exercises would be joint Belarusian-Russian operations in the case of a nuclear war-in particular with the use of the Orieser-wide-advertised by the Russian missile, which is to be able to carry nuclear heads.
“During the exercises, soldiers will practice planning and conducting nuclear attacks on a potential opponent, and the purpose of the training is to maintain the credibility of the forces of nuclear deterrence of Russia and Belarus,” said Belarusian defense minister Wiktor Chrenin State Belta State Information Agency.
Putin's rocket performances
The Orieser is a relatively new Russian medium -range ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear heads. The representatives of the Kremlin claim that thanks to the hypersonic speed and maneuvering ability, this weapon is allegedly unbearable.
Russian state media gave without providing evidence that the missile is able to hit any purpose on the European continent in less than an hour and destroy it with a maximum of six independently maneuvering heads, each of which is armed with a nuclear charge.
The only known case of the use of the Orieser bullet with conventional heads by Russia was the impact on November 21, 2024 in the area of the Aviation Factory in the Dnieper, whose part of the production plants is underground. The attack caused the destruction of ground buildings and a nearby residential district.
Some Ukrainian media say that the next two launching of the Orieser missiles failed because the missiles devoured from the intended trajectory, but this was not confirmed by independent sources. Ukrainian air forces have not noticed any attacks with shells of the Orieser in the country since the attack on Dniepr. The Kremlin said that by the end of 2025, he intends to arrange the Orieser shells in Belarus.
The Ukrainian group of investigators Schemi, supported by Radio Free Europe, published satellite photos of the military base near Minsk, stating that the missiles mentioned above are probably stored there. The nearby construction area with an area of two sq km contains warehouses, three hangars and foundations of new buildings, including for staff.
The Belarusian state press agency Belta said that in addition to the use of Orieser shells and simulated launching towards goals in Europe, Russian and Belarusian troops will practice response to air attacks, ground and air fight with NATO opponent, as well as special services.
Vladimir Putin and Aleksander ŁukaszenkoContributor / Getty Images / Getty Images
“The Kremlin intends to use exercises to spread disinformation”
Deep distrust between NATO and the Kremlin increases. In response to Russian-Belarusian exercises at the beginning of September Poland began the largest military exercises this year-“Iron Defender-2025”.
Maneuvers in which he participates from around 30,000 up to 40,000 Polish and allied soldiers are to last until the end of the month. According to NATO statements, soldiers will practice quick arrears, joint tactical maneuvers, air and on earth, and reacting to hybrid threats.
In addition to the Lithuanian regular branches and the National Guard, a multinational combat group of 1,000 400 soldiers are stationed mainly in the Lithuanian city of Rukły. Smaller contingents are located near Vilnius.
Germany, with 850 soldiers, constitute the core of the combat group, and Belgium, the Czech Republic, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, France, Croatia and Iceland send smaller contingents to this unit on the basis of rotation.
On September 9, Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that at midnight on Thursday, September 11, Poland will close the border with Belarus, including railway crossings, due to military exercises “Zapad-2025”. At the same time, he referred to “deep distrust” between NATO and the Kremlin and the need to “prepare Poland for possible provocations, sabotage and potential aggression.”
In official statements, both Minsk and Moscow described the “Zapad-2025” exercises as a defensive nature and denied aggressive intentions to NATO.
President Wołodymyr Zełenski said in February 2025 that Russian and Belarusian forces focused in Belarus could have up to 150,000. soldiers. Western military analysts have not confirmed this number. Zelanski said, Ukraine is ready to defeat Russian forces trying to hover again from Belarus, as was the case in February 2022.
The head of the Ukrainian military intelligence (Hur) Kyryło Budanow said on August 31 that the main purpose of the “Zapad-2025” exercise is not to increase military readiness, but rather Psychological pressure by the Kremlin on NATO Member States, which are not sure if they are able to confront Russia.
“The Kremlin intends to use exercises to spread disinformation through operations aimed at manipulating public opinion,” said Budanov.
On Monday, September 8, in a commentary for the “Apostrophe” television channel, Budanov again underestimated the possibility that these exercises are a real war threat to NATO. “They do not pose a threat to Ukraine and European Union countries,” he said.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
