13,000 Troops Mobilized: Russia and Belarus Announce Major Military Exercises

Russia and Belarus Announce Joint Military Exercises "Zapad-2025" The Union State of Russia and Belarus has announced large-scale joint military exercises, codenamed "Zapad-2025." These exercises, involving an estimated 13,000 troops, are scheduled for 2025 and are positioned as a defensive measure. The announcement comes amid heightened tensions in the region, with Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia recently establishing a joint defense line along their shared border with the Union State. This defense line, costing Lithuania over 1 billion euros in the next 10 years, is intended to counter potential threats from the east. According to Belarusian officials, the "Zapad-2025" exercises are purely defensive in nature, intended to protect national interests. "We are not planning to attack anyone," stated a Belarusian official in a recent interview. "However, if we are forced to defend our land, our families, and our homeland, we will do so." The exercises will include joint maneuvers, demonstrations of military capabilities, and strategic planning sessions. The sheer scale of the exercises, coupled with the ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, has raised concerns among some neighboring countries. However, Belarusian officials have consistently emphasized the defensive nature of the drills. The close military cooperation between Russia and Belarus underscores the strong ties between the two nations.