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Russian Troops Arrive in Belarus for Zapad-2025 Military Drills Amid Regional Security Concerns
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![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
The first train carrying Russian troops and military equipment has arrived in Belarus ahead of the joint strategic military exercises “Zapad-2025,” Belarus’s Ministry of Defense announced on August 6.
Scheduled for September, the drills are described as the main phase of joint military training between Russia and Belarus this year. Troops from both countries are currently completing the final stage of preparations.
According to Belarusian officials, the exercise will focus on testing new tactics and methods of deploying ground forces, based on lessons drawn from recent military conflicts.
“Today, in a ceremonial setting, we welcomed the first representatives of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. During the exercise, we plan to practice new forms and methods of deploying units of the ground forces, based on the analysis of recent modern military conflicts. These kinds of exercises are held regularly every two years, alternating between the territory of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation,” said Colonel Pavel Shebeko, Deputy Commander of the Northwestern Operational Command.
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According to Militarnyi on August 6, while officially framed as drills to improve joint offensive and defensive capabilities, military coordination, and combat readiness, the “Zapad” exercises have long raised concerns among neighboring states. In retrospect, the 2021 edition—the last Zapad exercise conducted on Belarusian territory—was held just five months before the launch of the Russian full scale invasion on Ukraine.
Those concerns are not without cause: Belarus served as a launchpad for Russia’s assault on northern Ukraine in 2022, including the failed push toward Kyiv.
Earlier, it was reported that Germany deployed Eurofighter jets to Poland just weeks before Russia and Belarus are set to launch their joint military exercises, "Zapad-2025."
According to Bild, five Eurofighter jets from Germany’s 31st Tactical Air Squadron arrived at an airbase east of Warsaw on August 4. Their first operational flights were scheduled for Tuesday, August 5.
