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. Huge plumes of smoke darken the sky. The whole area echoes to the sound of exploding mortar and artillery shells. Helicopter gunships join the attack, while surveillance drones sweep overhead to view the damage. It's only an exercise, though.
Together with other international media, we've been brought to the Borisovsky training ground where Belarusian and Russian forces are taking part in joint manoeuvres as part of the Zapad-2025 military drills. Military attachés from various embassies are observing the drill. These exercises are planned every four years with varying troop involvement. While last year's drills involved 200,000 soldiers, this time the numbers have decreased.
Moscow and Minsk assert these drills are purely defensive, aimed at securing their territories and countering external threats. However, this rhetoric echoes claims made prior to Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which saw troops mobilized from Belarus.
The drills coincide with heightened tensions in Eastern Europe, notably concerning Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine and recent drone incursions into Polish and Romanian airspace. While Belarus emphasizes the transparency of these exercises, as voiced by Major General Valery Revenko, Polish officials consider them a serious provocation, shutting their borders in anticipation of the drills.
In the turbulent landscape of Eastern Europe, observers question whether the military demonstrations are indeed defensive or serve as a warning to European nations about potential aggression from the East.
Together with other international media, we've been brought to the Borisovsky training ground where Belarusian and Russian forces are taking part in joint manoeuvres as part of the Zapad-2025 military drills. Military attachés from various embassies are observing the drill. These exercises are planned every four years with varying troop involvement. While last year's drills involved 200,000 soldiers, this time the numbers have decreased.
Moscow and Minsk assert these drills are purely defensive, aimed at securing their territories and countering external threats. However, this rhetoric echoes claims made prior to Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which saw troops mobilized from Belarus.
The drills coincide with heightened tensions in Eastern Europe, notably concerning Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine and recent drone incursions into Polish and Romanian airspace. While Belarus emphasizes the transparency of these exercises, as voiced by Major General Valery Revenko, Polish officials consider them a serious provocation, shutting their borders in anticipation of the drills.
In the turbulent landscape of Eastern Europe, observers question whether the military demonstrations are indeed defensive or serve as a warning to European nations about potential aggression from the East.
