Today, September 12, joint strategic exercises with Russia, “West-2025,” began in Belarus. According to official information, Belarusian and Russian troops will practice actions to “repulse possible aggression” and improve cooperation.
This was reported by the Belarusian agency BelTA.
The exercises will continue until September 16 at training grounds in the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation.
“The purpose of the exercises is to practice joint actions by Belarusian and Russian troops to ensure the military security of the Union State and readiness to repel possible aggression,” the statement said.
The exercises focus on improving the skills of command and staff in managing troops during the repulsion of aggression, increasing the level of cooperation between management bodies and field training of military personnel, as well as practicing joint actions to neutralize threats and stabilize the situation on the borders of the Union State.
According to Bild, 18,200 military personnel, including 5,500 from Russia, will officially participate in the five-day exercises, which will take place near the borders of Poland, Lithuania, and Ukraine.
NATO remains on high alert due to these exercises: on the eve of the exercises, Poland completely closed its border with Belarus – the decision was made even before Russian drones invaded Polish airspace.
Poland and Latvia have also restricted flights over part of their territory near the border with Belarus.