STORY: :: Russian Defence Ministry
:: Released September 13, 2025
:: Russia and Belarus continue a major joint military exercise at a time of heightened tension
Russia and Belarus continue on Saturday (September 12) a major joint military exercise that will involve drills in both countries and in the Baltic and Barents seas, the Russian defence ministry said.
The “Zapad-2025” exercise – a show of force by Russia and its close ally – is taking place at an exceptionally tense moment in the Russia-Ukraine war, two days after Poland shot down suspected Russian drones over its airspace.
The exercise was scheduled well before the drone incident took place.