Russia Begins Deploying Troops in Belarus

The first echelon of Russian soldiers and equipment has arrived in Belarus to participate in the joint strategic exercises "West-2025." These exercises are set to take place in September, according to the Republic's Ministry of Defense.

Deputy Commander of the Northwestern Operational Command Pavel Shebeko, who welcomed the Russian troops, stated that the exercises are intended to develop new forms and methods of employing ground troops based on an analysis of modern military conflicts.

The "West-2025" exercises are conducted periodically every two years, with 13,000 soldiers expected to participate in the upcoming events. Earlier, Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov announced that the exercises would take place simultaneously in both countries, and the troops would develop joint operational plans to repel aggression against the "Union State" along several strategic directions.

However, his Belarusian counterpart Viktor Khrenin stated that the parameters of the "West-2025" exercises would be reduced, and the actual drills would be relocated further into the interior of the Republic, away from NATO and Ukrainian borders. He explained that this aim is to reduce regional tensions and to demonstrate Belarus's peaceful stance and its readiness for dialogue and compromises with partners worldwide.

Later on, the Secretary of the Security Council of the Republic of Belarus, Alexander Wolfovich, announced that the decision had been coordinated with Russia since these are joint exercises, and their concept is confirmed by the leaders of both states. He assured that this means neither Russia nor Belarus considers Poland and the Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia) as targets for aggression.