DNA

Moscow, September 16 — President Vladimir Putin oversaw the concluding stage of the Zapad-2025 joint strategic exercise, the largest annual military drill conducted by the armed forces of Russia and Belarus.

The five-day exercise, held from September 12–16 across 41 land and sea training grounds in both countries, is aimed at practicing operations to repel potential aggression against the Union State. Military officials noted that combat scenarios were designed based on lessons learned from Russia’s ongoing “special military operation.”

According to official figures, 100,000 personnel and 10,000 units of modern weapons and equipment were deployed. The arsenal included 333 aircraft — spanning tactical, strategic, and transport aviation — and more than 247 naval vessels, including surface ships, submarines, and auxiliary craft.

Putin inspected a range of weapons systems and military equipment at the training grounds and addressed participants, emphasizing the exercise’s focus on “absolute protection of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the security of the Union State against any aggression.”

The event attracted international attention, with 25 foreign delegations present. Six countries dispatched military contingents to join the drills, while representatives from 16 states observed proceedings.

“The Zapad-2025 exercise demonstrates the readiness of our forces to respond to any threat and highlights the strength of Russia’s partnership with Belarus,” Putin said, before requesting a readiness report from the Minister of Defence.

Zapad-2025 marks the final stage of joint training between Russian and Belarusian forces this year and is regarded by Moscow as a key test of combat preparedness and interoperability.