Lithuanian intel: Up to 30,000 Russian, Belarusian troops to gather for "Zapad-2025" drills

The joint Russian-Belarusian military exercises “Zapad-2025" (West-2025), scheduled for September 12–16, will involve up to 30,000 servicemen, said Mindaugas Mažonas, Head of the Second Operational Services Department of Lithuania.

However, only 8,000 troops will be deployed on Belarusian territory, of which just 2,000 are Russian soldiers, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

“According to our intelligence, up to 30,000 Belarusian and Russian servicemen will participate in the exercises. In Belarus itself, there will be only 8,000, including 2,000 Russian soldiers,” Mažonas said.

He emphasised that the likelihood of hybrid attacks against Lithuania during the exercises is minimal, although isolated provocations cannot be ruled out. Violations of airspace and a small probability of cyber incidents are also possible.

The Zapad-2025 joint military exercises are part of the regular series of strategic exercises held every four years, with the last one occurring in 2021. The primary objective of Zapad-2025 is to assess and enhance the defensive readiness of the Union State of Russia and Belarus. The exercises will be conducted at central training areas near Barysaw in Belarus, with reciprocal movement of units between the two countries.

By Khagan Isayev