U.S. military officers have made a surprise appearance at joint Belarus-Russia war games, just days after NATO jets were scrambled due to Russian drones crossing into Poland.

Moscow

US military attachés were present at joint military exercises conducted by Belarus and Russia, where they observed artillery, helicopter maneuvers, and mock assaults. Belarus stated that the presence of international observers, including those from the United States, demonstrates transparency and a desire to reduce tensions.

Despite the smaller scale of this year's drills compared to previous years, NATO members bordering Belarus, such as Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania, remain wary, viewing the exercises as a show of force. These countries have increased security measures, while Russia and Belarus maintain that the drills are routine and defensive. The situation is closely monitored by NATO, which continues to call for adherence to international agreements on military transparency.

U.S. officers attend Belarus-Russia war games amid NATO tensions

An unusual diplomatic moment, US military attachés shaking hands with Belarus' Defence Minister Viktor Khrenin on Belarusian soil. Minsk insists their presence proves nothing is hidden. The Americans were offered front row seats to a display that included artillery fire, helicopters and mock assaults. Armoured convoys thunder through fields, amphibious vehicles churn across rivers, overhead helicopters hover as troops storm a mock residential block and airfield, raising Russian and Belarusian flags. Officially, the Zapad drills simulate repelling an invasion, but for NATO members, Poland, Latvia and Lithuania, the upticks are those of an aggressive show of force. Now we are at the final stage of Zapad 2025. At an operational and strategic level, we have managed to deploy more powerful destruction Belarus says 7,000 troops are involved this year, a fraction of the 200,000 that participated in 2021. Those drills were just months before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Minsk calls the smaller-scale drills proof of its wish to reduce tensions. But Western officials say drills are designed to test coordination, readiness and deterrence, particularly along NATO's eastern flank. Beyond Belarus, Russia flexes its long-range power. In Kaliningrad, the army showcases its missile systems, conducting what it calls electronic launches. In the Barents Sea, supersonic bombers patrol for four hours, escorted by MiG-31 fighters. Anti-submarine aircraft practice simulated strikes. Moscow insists these are routine defensive manoeuvres, not aimed at NATO. But NATO states bordering Belarus are unconvinced. Poland has shut down border crossings, ramped up troop numbers and warned that Europe is closer to open conflict than at any point since World War II. Latvia and Lithuania have also tightened airspace controls. We are closely monitoring this joint strategic military exercise that is taking place on the territory of Belarus. We continue to call on Russia and Belarus to fully comply with the OECD 2011 Vienna document, which requires prior notification for military activities. Belarus' observers from more than 20 countries, including the United States, were invited to witness the drills. For Minsk, that is proof of transparency. But with bombers in the Arctic, missiles in Kaliningrad and NATO on alert, every move carries significance far beyond Belarus' borders. Assad Beg, Al Jazeera.

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