Belarus, an ally of Moscow, held military exercises described as being of a “strictly defensive nature” in the western part of the country, near its border with the European Union. Tensions in the area have risen to their highest level.
The maneuvers lasted from Tuesday to Friday. According to a Telegram statement by Belarus’s Ministry of Defense, their goal was to strengthen the troops’ ability to protect state sovereignty and territorial integrity. The ministry did not specify how many soldiers took part.
The exercises included border defense, the elimination of sabotage groups, and countering and controlling drones. Belarus said that units operating along the border had completed their missions in accordance with the exercise plan in a complex and constantly changing environment.
Belarusian General Vadim Surov said the units had successfully completed their assigned tasks.
Belarus conducts at least two major military exercises every year with its allies, including Russia. It also organizes dozens of smaller regional exercises, including the one held this week near the EU border.
In September 2025, Russia and Belarus held the “Zapad-2025” exercises, involving nearly 100,000 soldiers. Some of those maneuvers also took place near the border with the European Union.
NATO countries have also organized military exercises along their borders with Belarus and Russia in recent years.
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7249 | 19 Sept. 2026 | 19:26
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