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Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan Participate in Zapad-2025 Military Drills in Belarus
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![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan have joined the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) military drills currently underway in Belarus, Polish Radio for Ukraine reported on August 31.
According to the report, the exercises were officially launched with a parade in Vitebsk, involving troops from Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. The maneuvers will take place over the course of a week at the Losvido and Lepelsky training grounds.
CSTO officials said the drills are aimed at preparing the bloc’s joint forces to respond to potential crisis situations.
Meanwhile, preparations are underway for another major set of drills. It was reported that the upcoming Russian-Belarusian exercise Zapad-2025 will include simulations involving nuclear weapons and the Russian-made intermediate-range hypersonic Oreshnik missile.
Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin confirmed that the drills, scheduled for September 12–16 in Belarus, will focus on “planning the use” of both nuclear capabilities and the Oreshnik system. He described these activities as part of broader strategic deterrence measures, citing the increased NATO presence near Belarusian borders as justification. Khrenin did not provide details on the format of the nuclear-related planning sessions.
Earlier, it was reported that Lithuania plans to step up security along its state border ahead of the Russian-Belarusian military exercises Zapad-2025.
State Border Guard Service Commander Rustamas Liubajevas noted that the measures being prepared are classified and not intended for public disclosure, but stressed that both his service and other Interior Ministry agencies are fully ready.
