Belarus and Russia launch joint military exercises “West-2025”

This was reported by the Belarusian state news agency BelTA, according to Ukrinform.

“The purpose of the exercises is to practice joint actions by Belarusian and Russian troops in ensuring the military security of the Union State and readiness to repel possible aggression,” the report said.

It is noted that the exercises will focus on such key aspects of training as improving the skills of command and staff in managing troops during the repulsion of aggression; increasing the level of interaction between management bodies and field training of military personnel; and practicing joint actions to neutralize threats and stabilize the situation on the borders of the Union State.

The news agency writes that West 2025 is a planned event, preceded by a series of preparatory maneuvers on the territory of both countries.

The “West-2025” exercises in Belarus are being conducted at training grounds deep inside the country or in its eastern regions and are said to be defensive in nature.

As reported by Ukrinform, State Border Service spokesman Andrii Demchenko assured on Friday that the number of Russian personnel involved in the West 2025 exercises is smaller than in 2023, when Russia had about 10,000-12,000 troops on Belarusian territory.

During the West 2021 maneuvers, a full-scale invasion of Ukraine began.