In a large field 45 miles (72km) from Belarus' capital Minsk, a battle is raging. There are giant explosions as Sukhoi-34 bombers drop guided bombs with huge plumes of smoke darkening the sky. The whole area echoes to the sound of exploding mortar and artillery shells, while helicopter gunships join the attack and surveillance drones sweep overhead to assess the damage. However, it is just a military exercise.
International media have been invited to the Borisovsky training ground where Belarusian and Russian forces engage in joint maneuvers as part of the Zapad-2025 ("West 2025") military drills. Every four years, these planned exercises take place, involving significantly fewer troops compared to the 200,000 involved in the last edition back in 2022.
Moscow and Minsk assert that these drills are defensive, aimed at bolstering their security against external threats. Yet, concerns linger within Europe. The exercises coincide with heightened tensions, as seen with drone incursions into Polish and Romanian airspace, raising alarms about potential confrontations in the region.
This time, Belarusian officials invite international observers, portraying the move as a gesture of transparency. However, critics remain skeptical, interpreting the exercises and their timing as a warning to Europe amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainties, especially in light of Russia's continued offensive in Ukraine.
International media have been invited to the Borisovsky training ground where Belarusian and Russian forces engage in joint maneuvers as part of the Zapad-2025 ("West 2025") military drills. Every four years, these planned exercises take place, involving significantly fewer troops compared to the 200,000 involved in the last edition back in 2022.
Moscow and Minsk assert that these drills are defensive, aimed at bolstering their security against external threats. Yet, concerns linger within Europe. The exercises coincide with heightened tensions, as seen with drone incursions into Polish and Romanian airspace, raising alarms about potential confrontations in the region.
This time, Belarusian officials invite international observers, portraying the move as a gesture of transparency. However, critics remain skeptical, interpreting the exercises and their timing as a warning to Europe amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainties, especially in light of Russia's continued offensive in Ukraine.
