Russia’s neighbors are preparing for a nervous few days when the Kremlin holds its Zapad 2025 war games along with its ally Belarus, its first since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The drills, running Sept. 12–16, will have some maneuvers taking place close to Poland and Lithuania as the Kremlin practices for a possible clash with NATO forces.
Tarassis 25 involves 10 Northern European NATO countries, while Lithuania will hold its own Thunder Strike national defense exercise.
Poland holds its Iron Defender-25, with 30,000 troops taking part, this week. “Poland will respond to the Zapad 2025 exercises … in an appropriate manner on the Polish side,” Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk told.
https://www.politico.eu/article/natos-eastern-flank-braces-for-russias-war-games/