Russia and Belarus have also launched the “West-2025” exercise on the border with Poland.

Russia and Belarus have launched the “West-2025” military exercises, which are taking place simultaneously in both countries as well as in the Baltic Sea and the Barents Sea.

The Ministry of Defense states that the aim of the exercises is to improve cooperation between commanders and increase the combat readiness of the troops. However, the timing of the maneuvers is attracting attention—they took place just two days after suspicious Russian drones were shot down over Polish territory.

Moscow emphasizes, however, that the date was set in advance and that the exercise is not a response to the incident.

The Kremlin assures that the maneuvers are not directed against any particular state, even though they are also taking place on the border with Poland.

However, given the escalating tensions between Russia and the West, some observers speak of a deliberate show of force.

(reuters, lup)