Belarus and Russia Flex Military Muscles: A Warning for Europe

Tue Oct 21 2025 02:14:34 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Join us as we explore the striking military drills held by Belarus and Russia, designed to showcase their firepower amid rising tensions in Eastern Europe.

Belarus and Russia recently conducted military exercises named 'West 2025,' where they demonstrated significant firepower near Belarus’s capital, Minsk. Observers from 23 countries watched these drills, which the officials claim are defensive in nature. However, many see them as a potential threat amid ongoing regional tensions, particularly due to Russia's war in Ukraine and recent drone incursions into neighboring countries' airspaces.

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 participating in joint manoeuvres as part of the Zapad-2025 military drills. These planned exercises take place every four years.

This year’s drills involve fewer soldiers than the 200,000 who participated in 2022. Although Moscow and Minsk assert that these drills are purely defensive to strengthen their security, concerns persist particularly because of previous invasions.

In a notable contrast, Poland has shut its borders, reflecting alarm over the exercises, which Prime Minister Donald Tusk described as aggressive.

The timing of the 'West 2025' drills is crucial, taking place during heightened tensions in Eastern Europe amidst Russia's ongoing conflict with Ukraine and drone incursions into neighboring airspaces.

While Belarus promises transparency, the demonstrations of firepower may send a different message to Europe, signaling that confrontation with Moscow might not be wise.