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Representatives from 23 countries, including three NATO members, are observing the ongoing Russia-Belarus "Zapad-2025" joint military exercises, the Belarusian Defense Ministry announced Monday.
The United States, Türkiye and Hungary are among the NATO countries monitoring the strategic drills at the Borisovsky training ground, according to ministry officials.
The exercises, which began on Friday and run through Sept. 16 (Tuesday), involve approximately 13,000 personnel from both nations.
"Today, representatives of 23 states are participating in observing the practical actions of the troops in the joint strategic exercise 'Zapad-2025,' including three NATO member countries—the United States, Türkiye, and Hungary," the Belarusian Defense Ministry stated.
Three international organizations—the Union State, the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)—have also sent observers.
A representative from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Center for Conflict Prevention is present under the Vienna Document 2011 framework.
Military-diplomatic representatives from 17 countries are attending, including Azerbaijan, Vietnam, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Cuba, Serbia, Sudan, Turkmenistan, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Peru and Indonesia.
The drills focus on "the use of troop groupings in the interests of ensuring the military security of the Union State," according to official statements.
Activities include repelling airstrikes, countering sabotage groups, planning nuclear weapon deployment scenarios, and operating Russia's new Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missile system.
Monday's activities featured several tactical episodes, including fire strikes against enemy forces using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), tank fire from closed positions, anti-tank guided missile launches, FPV drone strikes, and actions by mobile fire groups.
Air defense coverage for combined arms units and evacuation procedures using robotic platforms was also demonstrated.
The exercises are taking place at training grounds deep within Belarus, as well as in areas of the Minsk, Vitebsk, and Grodno regions. Russian forces are also conducting related activities on their territory and in the Baltic and Barents Seas.
"The exercise on the territory is carried out at training grounds located deep in the country," the ministry emphasized.
"The event is exclusively defensive in nature and confirms the Republic of Belarus's course toward strengthening regional security and commitment to allied obligations," the statement noted.
Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin met with the U.S. military attaché, who reportedly expressed gratitude for the opportunity to observe the joint drills.
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