Russia and Belarus conducted joint military drills from September 12 to 16, 2025, rehearsing the launch of Russian tactical nuclear weapons stationed in Belarus, confirmed by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. The exercises, part of the Zapad-2025 maneuvers, involved around 100,000 troops and 10,000 military units including hypersonic Oreshnik missiles. These drills aimed to showcase military readiness and safeguard the sovereignty of the Russia-Belarus Union State. Despite Minsk’s insistence the drills are defensive, the exercises heightened regional security concerns amid escalating Russia-NATO tensions, particularly after Russian drones entered Polish airspace days before. The drills included simulated nuclear strikes and featured participation from Russian allies like India, further complicating the geopolitical landscape in Eastern Europe. The exercises underscored the strategic military and nuclear cooperation between Moscow and Minsk in a tense security environment.