14:14 16-09-2025

Zapad-2025 drills: Belarus tests nuclear use, Oreshnik

By Mil.ru, CC BY 4.0, Link

Belarusian drills Zapad-2025 included planning for non-strategic nuclear use and deployment of the Oreshnik missile system, highlighting Russia-Belarus defense ties.

During the Zapad-2025 exercises in Belarus, the military rehearsed scenarios involving the use of non-strategic nuclear weapons and the deployment of the Oreshnik missile system, according to First Deputy Defense Minister Pavel Muraveiko.

He explained that all planned objectives were completed, highlighting in particular the planning and assessment of nuclear strike scenarios and the evaluation and fielding of the mobile Oreshnik complex, as reported by the Belta news agency.

Earlier in August, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced during a meeting with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko that serial production of the Oreshnik system had begun in Russia. He added that deliveries to Belarus would likely be finalized before the end of the year.

The Zapad-2025 drills are being held in Belarus from September 12 to 16. Muraveiko stressed that the maneuvers are strictly defensive in nature and do not involve offensive operations.