The «Zapad-2025» joint military exercises are sparking increased concern within NATO, especially following a recent drone incident in Poland, as reported by Bloomberg. Poland has temporarily closed its border with Belarus, and Warsaw has moved approximately 40,000 troops closer to its frontiers.
These large-scale military drills involving Russia and Belarus are a significant source of apprehension for NATO, particularly in light of a recent drone incident over Polish territory. Bloomberg notes that Poland had already closed its border with Belarus in response to the exercises. While the Polish Interior Minister has expressed an intention to reopen the border promptly, Poland`s Ministry of Defense confirmed that approximately 40,000 Polish troops have been redeployed closer to the border regions.
The «Zapad-2025» joint strategic exercises, conducted by the armed forces of Russia and Belarus, began today. Moscow has previously stated that these exercises are routine, are not directed against any specific nation, and serve as a readiness assessment for the Union State`s forces.
The Russian Ministry of Defense has released several videos showcasing the drills. According to the ministry, the Northern Fleet`s forces have been deployed, including in the northern areas of the Arctic Ocean. Mi-35M attack helicopters conducted aerial reconnaissance missions and simulated missile strikes. The Pacific Fleet has also commenced its scheduled exercises, incorporating nuclear submarines and the «Bastion» coastal missile system. Dmitry Kornev, editor of «New Defense Order» magazine, offered his perspective on the exercises and the international response:
Editor of «New Defense Order» magazine
«These are indeed extensive, complex exercises involving, it appears, the Northern Fleet, the Baltic Fleet, and Western military districts within Belarus, operating in conjunction with the Belarusian Armed Forces. According to Defense Ministry press releases, naval forces will be deployed in the distant sea zone, the Arctic, and the mid-sea zone. This suggests that ships and submarines will likely operate in the Atlantic Ocean, its northern parts, and the Arctic Ocean, potentially reaching Novaya Zemlya. They will conduct training activities to support the potential deployment of strategic forces, which is standard practice. The exercises also involve long-range aviation. In Belarus and the Western military districts, there will be drills with ground forces and missile troops, including the deployment of missile brigades. There are expectations, though detailed information is not yet available, for exercises involving the deployment of the `Oreshnik` missile system in Belarus. Regarding the West`s reaction, it would typically be more measured, as in previous years. However, this is currently amplified by the hysteria that has unfolded in Poland after several Russian drones crashed. They label them as Russian, though we have not confirmed this in any way. The current hysteria in Poland is influencing the mood in other NATO countries, especially considering that Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Poland are now NATO members, alongside the traditional Baltic states, though that`s not a new development. Poland has taken drastic steps by closing its border. It`s possible that some Baltic states might follow suit; the ongoing press releases are not entirely clear, but Poland has temporarily closed its border with Belarus, I hope. It`s understandable that when armed personnel are active on both sides of a border, one hopes nothing accidentally goes off.»
Western officials have indicated that they do not anticipate any immediate or covert threats of attack from these exercises, Bloomberg reports. Nevertheless, «the Russian drills reinforce NATO`s existing concerns.»
«The `Zapad-2025` exercises serve as a display of force by Russia and its close ally, occurring at an exceptionally tense juncture in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict,» states the British publication The Independent. The British Daily Mail adds that Western nations are also planning their own military exercises for September, which are intended as a «response» to «Zapad-2025.» Forbes magazine concludes that while these drills consistently trigger intense discussions of potential threats in Western countries, «such threats have never materialized.»
