Moscow, Russia – Russian troops who took part in the Zapad-2025 strategic exercises with Belarus, which triggered NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) alerts on its eastern flank, have returned to their permanent bases, the Russian Defense Ministry announced Wednesday.
“In these moments, the units of the Russian Armed Forces and the coalition grouping are proceeding back to their permanent deployment bases,” the ministry said in a statement.
The large-scale maneuvers, held from Friday to Tuesday, involved 100,000 troops across 41 military ranges, including four in Belarus, and were closely watched by NATO amid rising regional tensions.
Putin oversees final phase
Russian President Vladimir Putin, wearing a military uniform, personally oversaw the final phase of the drills at the Mulino training ground. He emphasized that the exercises incorporated lessons from Russia’s ongoing campaign in Ukraine.
“The goal of the Zapad maneuvers is the defense of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the protection of the Union State of Russia and Belarus against any aggression,” Putin said, recalling he had also supervised the previous Zapad-2021 exercises.
The Kremlin highlighted that the drills simulated responses to external threats, reflecting “the experience received during the special military operation” in Ukraine.
Polish airspace violations
The exercises were overshadowed by tensions after Russian drones violated Polish airspace, an incident Warsaw denounced as an “act of aggression.”
NATO officials described the event as the largest concentration of airspace violations in recent years.
“This was not an isolated incident,” NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte warned on Friday. “It represented the largest concentration of violations of NATO airspace that we have seen.”
Poland, a frontline NATO member, said the incursions underscored the growing risks posed by Russia’s activities near the Alliance’s eastern border.
NATO launches “eastern sentinel”
In response to the heightened risks, Rutte announced the launch of a new initiative, “Eastern Sentinel,” designed to strengthen NATO’s eastern defenses.
According to the NATO chief, the operation will involve forces and assets from Denmark, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and other member states.
“The aim is to ensure deterrence and rapid response capabilities along the Alliance’s most exposed flank,” Rutte said.
The Zapad drills have historically carried geopolitical weight. In 2021, Zapad-21 was held just six months before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Western analysts warned that the 2025 edition could also signal Moscow’s intent to maintain pressure on NATO members and Ukraine alike.
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