Russia and Belarus have begun military exercises in the context of increased tension with Poland and NATO

Russiaand Belarushave begun several strategic military exercises in both countries this Friday in the context of escalating tensionwith Poland and NATO.

"The practical manoeuvres of the troopsare in the military zones of Belarus and Russia ,as well as in the waters of the Baltic Sea and the Barents, "the Russian Ministry of Defence said in announcing the military exercises.

The Kremlin has denied that the military manoeuvres between Russia and Belarus, known as Zapad-2025 , are aimed at third countries. However, this is the first time since the war in Ukraine.

"The exercises are not directed against anyonebut the continuation of military cooperation and the improvement of interaction between two strategic allies, "said Russian Presidency spokesman Dmitri Peskov .

Indeed, thestrengthening of the military security of the Russian-Belarusian State Union is the objective of the military exercises being carried out near the Belarusian capital and 450 kilometres from the border with Poland. In particular, these actions are being carried out at the Borisov military sites near the Belarusian capital, Minsk.

In principle, there are far fewer soldiers involved than in 2021, when 200,000 participants were reported. However, there will be not only Russian and Belarusian military, but also from other countries such as Indiaand Iran.

The military manoeuvres will end onthe 16th, and Russia's medium-range hypersonic ballistic missiles will be used, among others. So, in theory, they can hit targets thousands of miles away, with a margin of error of just tens of meters.

The "first phase"of these manoeuvres will simulate operations to" repel an attack "on Russia and Belarus, while the second will address" the restoration of the territorial integrity of the Russian-Belarusian State of the Union and the defeat of the enemy, including the participation of military groups from friendly countries. "

Belarus, Russia's main ally in the Ukrainian war, signed a security agreement with Moscow in 2024, after which Russian leader Vladimir Putin advanced the possibility of deploying the missiles on the territory of the neighbouring country.