- The declared phase of Russia’s annual Joint Strategic Exercise, Zapad-2025, was conducted alongside Belarus from 12 September 2025 until 16 September 2025, although Russian and Belarusian troops had been training together at exercise locations since at least August 2025.
- Fewer land troops and armoured vehicles were likely involved than in previous Russian annual exercises because of Russia’s heavy commitment to its illegal invasion of Ukraine. Zapad-2025 involved a significant maritime component, including both the Russian Baltic and Northern Fleets, with Russia reporting that the Northern Fleet frigate Admiral Golovko conducted a test launch of a Zircon hypersonic missile in the Barents Sea. The Barents Sea was a core focus for the maritime component. The exercise also involved airborne and amphibious landings.
- Russian President Putin’s statement that over 100,000 service personnel participated probably misrepresents the effective scale of the exercise. It is likely that no more than 10,000 Russian land forces troops took part in Russia in Moscow and Leningrad Military Districts, including Kaliningrad. In Belarus about 6,000 troops took part, about 5,000 Belarusian and 1,000 Russian, reduced from its earlier announced 13,000 troops.