RESTRICTION: USERS MUST CREDIT "RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY" HANDOUT, MUST NOT OBSCURE LOGO — EDITORIAL USE ONLY

SHOTLIST:

BELARUS (SEPTEMBER 12, 2025) (RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY - RESTRICTED)

1. VARIOUS OF RUSSIAN-BELARUSIAN JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE "ZAPAD 2025"
BELARUS/RUSSIA - SEPTEMBER 12, 2025: Russia and Belarus on Friday, Sept. 12, began their joint military exercise “Zapad 2025” (“West 2025” in Russian), involving thousands of troops.

The exercises, which will run through Sept. 16, are taking place in Belarus and western Russia, as well as in the waters of the Baltic and Barents Seas.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, 'Zapad 2025' marks the final stage of joint military preparations for this year. The drills aim to test the skills of commanders and staff, improve coordination between regional and coalition forces, and conduct field exercises focused on peacekeeping, safeguarding national interests, and ensuring military security.

The exercises will also focus on containing aggression against the Union State and practicing joint operations to manage regional and coalition forces, neutralize threats, and stabilize border areas.

The ministry said in a statement that the first phase of the joint strategic exercise will focus on managing military units to repel attacks against the Union State, while the second phase will involve restoring the Union State’s territorial integrity and coordinating forces to defeat enemy actions.