Russia, Belarus to hold joint strategic drills in 2025

Russia and Belarus will conduct joint strategic military exercises, titled "Zapad-2025," in 2025, said Chief of the Russian Armed Forces General Staff, Valery Gerasimov during a briefing for foreign military attachés.

"Next year, the primary event in the preparation of the Armed Forces will be a joint strategic exercise with Belarus," Gerasimov stated, referring to the "Zapad-2025" drills, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

The announcement follows the upcoming strategic command-staff exercise "Ocean-2024," which will involve Russian naval forces, the Caspian Flotilla, and units from the Aerospace Forces, Gerasimov noted.

The Russian Navy demonstrated its readiness to carry out tasks aimed at safeguarding national interests in key areas of the World Ocean, as well as regional security tasks in cooperation with the armed forces of friendly countries.

Ten countries (Vietnam, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Qatar, China, North Korea, Nicaragua, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand) were present as observers at the exercise.

"This kind of training practice will continue in the future," said Gerasimov.

By Aghakazim Guliyev