Western Horizon: How Russia and Belarus are preparing for strategic exercises
In January this year, preparations for the West-2025 strategic exercise began. For example, a staff training session was recently completed, at which representatives of the armed forces of Belarus and Russia outlined the ranges where the maneuvers would take place and which forces would be involved. Scenarios for the use of tactical nuclear weapons and the new complex "Oreshnik" will be on the agenda of joint exercises, experts say. What will be practiced by Russia and Belarus at the firing ranges - in the material of "Izvestia".
The purpose of joint exercises of Russia and Belarus
Staff training of representatives of the armed forces of Belarus and Russia lasted two days and ended on January 16. One of the options for the use of the grouping of troops in the course of joint actions was practiced. This was reported in the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Belarus.
The training is part of a set of measures to prepare for the joint strategic exercise "West-2025," which will be held this year in Belarus. The joint maneuvers were announced last October by Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov.
"The Zapad exercise will take into account the current threats to Moscow and Minsk, as well as the emerging situation, including the situation in the special operation zone in Ukraine." During the meeting, important decisions were made to further improve the military organization and increase the defense capability of the union of the two countries. The plan to ensure military security of the Union State for 2025-2027 was approved," he noted.
What common threats do Russia and Belarus have?
As military expert Viktor Litovkin explained to Izvestia, staff exercises are when the general staffs of the two countries get together and outline on which ranges the maneuvers will take place, what forces will be involved, what the scenario and plan will be.
- That is, the exercise "West" has been held, but it is still on paper," he said. - In addition, a presidential decree on the call-up of reservists for military service was recently issued. They are always called up for maneuvers, there is nothing unusual in this. This is done in order for them to remember their skills, in particular, how to operate self-propelled artillery or a tank.
Viktor Litovkin believes that the strategic exercises demonstrate Russia's high combat readiness and military power.
- An important nuance is that the exercises will be held in parallel with the fulfillment of the tasks of a special military operation. This means that Russia, investing a lot of effort, both material and human, in combat operations, still has the ability to conduct these exercises," said the expert.
This year, Belarus will hold elections of the head of state, which can be used by unfriendly forces against the allied republic, told "Izvestia" chairman of the board of the all-Russian organization "Officers of Russia" Lieutenant Colonel of the reserve Roman Shkurlatov.
- Now Belarus is actually surrounded by unfriendly countries - Ukraine, Poland, Baltic states," he said. - The enemy will try to sway the situation from within and, possibly, to influence from the outside during the difficult pre-election period. High-ranking representatives of law enforcement agencies have repeatedly spoken about such plans. For this reason, one of the elements of the maneuvers is likely to be practicing counteraction to internal challenges and penetration of sabotage and reconnaissance groups into the territory of the country in order to expand the conflict.
The expert also noted that the ongoing armed conflict on the territory of Ukraine has an impact on everything that happens around it.
- Modern conflict scenarios involving unmanned, air and ground components will also be practiced at the exercises," he specified. - Also, one should not forget that tactical nuclear weapons were deployed in Belarus after the change of the Russian nuclear doctrine. There are also prospects for deployment of the new "Oreshnik" complex. Scenarios of their use will be worked out one way or another. It is also important to work out the redeployment of forces and means - in modern conditions this is probably one of the most difficult components of combat operations.
In addition, the deployment of new divisions and bases in Poland on the border with Belarus will be taken into account, said Roman Shkurlatov.
- All this does not add to the calm in the region," said the expert. - The situation is such that we need to keep our fists at the ready. An attack on the Republic of Belarus will be regarded as an attack on the Russian Federation, it is stipulated in all our doctrinal documents. For this reason, we have something to work on.
Joint strategic exercises (JSA) of the armed forces of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus are held every two years in accordance with the decision taken by the heads of the two states.
NATO experts at the Zapad-2025 exercise
Belarus has already notified about the joint exercise "West-2025" with the Russian Federation and plans to invite representatives of some EU and NATO countries as observers. This was stated by the head of the Department of International Military Cooperation of the Ministry of Defense of Belarus, Major General Valery Revenko.
"We plan to invite delegations from our allies, friends, partners to this exercise. The plan is being worked out, who to invite to which stages. We have a positive attitude to a number of EU member states, individual NATO member states," he explained.
Revenko also specified that more than 13,000 personnel will take part in the exercise "West-2025".
