Belarus has announced that the upcoming Zapad-2025 joint military exercises with russia will include training for the "planning of nuclear weapons use" as well as the deployment of the Oreshnik missile system. The statement came from Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin, as reported by BelTA state news agency. The exercises are scheduled to take place in September 2025.
According to Viktor Khrenin, the nuclear weapons planning component will be a "key element of strategic deterrence". He claimed Belarus is "closely monitoring the situation on the western and northern borders" while NATO countries increase their military presence and activity. This rhetoric mirrors Moscow's frequent justification for expanding its own military posture.
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The minister emphasized that, in addition to nuclear planning, Belarusian forces will work with their russian counterparts to rehearse the operational use of the Oreshnik missile system. While details about this system remain scarce, it is portrayed by Belarus as a critical asset for deterring potential adversaries.
"This is an important element of strategic deterrence for us," Viktor Khrenin said, adding that, as directed by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, the armed forces "must be ready for anything".
He reiterated a long-standing official narrative, "We demonstrate openness and peacefulness, but we must always keep our powder dry."
The Zapad exercises have long served as a platform for russia and Belarus to demonstrate military strength, often alarming neighboring NATO countries. The 2025 iteration's focus on nuclear weapons planning is likely to draw particular concern from Western governments, as it signals continued integration of Belarus into russia's nuclear doctrine.
The inclusion of nuclear planning and missile drills in the Zapad-2025 exercises underscores the extent to which Belarus is now embedded in russia's military strategy, a shift that further destabilizes the already tense security environment in Eastern Europe.
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