Russia and Belarus are preparing for large-scale exercises "Zapad-2025" near the Ukrainian border

Russia and Belarus are preparing for large-scale exercises "Zapad-2025" near the Ukrainian border

In September, Russia and Belarus will commence the joint military exercises "Zapad-2025", which are already causing concern due to their scale and potential consequences. Despite the official statement of 13,000 military personnel participating, experts suggest that the actual number of forces involved could reach 100,000, including reservists, equipment, and logistics.

Particular concern arises from the deployment of "Iskander" systems near the Ukrainian border — they have been positioned just 100 km from Rivne. Additionally, according to sources, the exercise program includes scenarios involving the use of nuclear weapons, hypersonic missiles, and simulations of a full-scale invasion.

This year’s exercises are conducted deep within Belarusian territory, but military activity is already being observed near the country’s western and southern borders.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, amidst this activity, publicly warned: the situation resembles 2021, when similar "Zapad" exercises served as a prelude to a major war — in February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

In view of this, the Ukrainian authorities and the international community are closely monitoring developments.